FULTON, Mo. – The Spalding women's basketball team suffered a 91-87 setback at the Westminster College Wednesday evening dropping to 7-5 overall and 3-1 in conference.  

THE BASICS
THE SCORE: Westminster 91 – Spalding 87
LOCATION: Historic Gymnasium | Fulton, Mo.
RECORDS: Spalding 7-5 (3-1 SLIAC) | Westminster 10-2 (5-0 SLIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Golden Eagles trailed 12-4 midway through the first quarter, but an Alex Martin three-pointer jumpstarted a 7-0 spurt allowing SU to trim the deficit to one point just over the two and a half minute mark, and trailed 18-16 after the first quarter. A Hannah Renfro layup in transition tied the game at 18 apiece, and the Golden Eagles converted seven Blue Jays turnovers into 17 points off turnovers in the quarter taking a 10-point lead into halftime following a steal and layup by Tse Gahagan in the final seconds of the quarter.

- The Blue Jays came out on fire in the third quarter connecting on 71.4 percent of field goal attempts including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc flipping a 10-point deficit into four-point lead following an Abbie Reece three-pointer with 53 seconds to play. Gahagan found Martin for a layup on Spalding's last possession of the quarter cutting the deficit back to two heading into the fourth quarter. Westminster extended their lead to four points following a Kendahl Adams layup at the nine minute mark. An Allison Just three-pointer sparked a 9-0 Spalding run putting the Golden Eagles ahead, 76-71, following a pair of Renfro free throws with 5:40 remaining. After an exchange of baskets, Spalding took a four-point lead following a Maleah Hirn layup with 3:07 to play, but the Blue Jays outscored the Golden Eagles 13-5 down the stretch to steal the victory, 91-87.
 
NOTABLE STATS
- Five Golden Eagles scored in double-figures led by Alex Martin's season-high 29 points on 66.6 percent shooting from the field. Hirn also finished with a season-high 14 points, while Gahagan and Renfro added 13 points apiece. Just tallied 10 points and collected a game-high four steals.

- The biggest difference in the outcome was the Golden Eagles inability to defend the Blue Jays allowing them to shoot 57.4 percent from the field and 65 percent from beyond the arc. Missing starting center Hunter Wright, the Golden Eagles struggled on the boards being outrebounded 30-17.

FOR THE FOES
- Adams paced the Blue Jays with a double-double recording 26 points and 10 rebounds. Abbie Reece and Kallee Dowler combined for 32 points going a combined 8-of-10 from beyond the arc.    
 
UP NEXT
- The Golden Eagles are back in action Saturday, January 5 traveling to Greenville to take on the Blue Jays at 2:00 pm EST.