Women's basketball: Westminster goes 2-0 at Tip Off Tournament

GREENVILLE, Ill. - The Lady Blue Jays opened their season at Greenville College's Tip Off Tournament and walked away with two victories.

Westminster College knocked off Millikin 84-78 on Saturday after staving off a late rally by the Big Blue in the fourth quarter. The Lady Blue Jays shot 42 percent (29-of-68) overall, but were just 30 percent (6-of-20) from 3-point range.

While Millikin shot 46 percent (28-of-60) as a team, including 40 percent (6-of-15) from behind the arc, Westminster forced 12 turnovers and controlled the boards with a 44-31 advantage after receiving a game-high 12 from junior forward Mirrakohl Johnson.

Owning a 59-46 advantage after three quarters, Westminster seemed on its way to a blowout win until the Big Blue woke up. Senior guards Devin Curry and Emily Schultz combined for half of Millikin's 32 points in the quarter, but it wouldn't be enough as the Lady Blue Jays held on for the victory.

It was a balanced effort for Westminster as four players finished in double figures. Redshirt junior guard Kendahl Adams directed the Lady Blue Jays with 18 points, Johnson added 17, sophomore forward Mikalyn Callahan provided 14 and freshman forward Grace Archambault had 12.

Curry topped Big Blue with a game-high 23 points, while Schultz contributed 18. Senior forward Lauren Moses also supplied 10 points.

In its opener Friday, Westminster had five players score in double figures and shot 44 percent (30-of-68) as a team to take down Illinois College 90-84.

Westminster limited the Lady Blues to 38 percent (27-of-71) from the field and just 29 percent (8-of-27) from 3-point range.

Johnson - who was 8-of-12 from the field - led all scorers with 21 points to pace the Lady Blue Jays. Her play was crucial in the third quarter after Illinois College had taken a slim 47-46 lead.

Johnson would outscore the Lady Blues 9-4 during one stretch and helped put Westminster ahead 60-57 at the end of the period.

Senior guard Payton Beeler and Adams would then help the Lady Blue Jays build their lead in the fourth quarter.

Adams knocked down a 3 and Beeler opened the quarter with consecutive baskets to give the Lady Blue Jays a 68-58 lead with 6 minutes left. Beeler finished with 16 points and Adams added 15.

Westminster's control of the game wouldn't last long as the Lady Blues outscored the Lady Blue Jays 23-7 down the stretch to force overtime.

Archambault and junior point guard Kelsey Ray were crucial for Westminster in the extra period. Archambault scored five of the team's 11 points and Ray's late free throws put the Lady Blue Jays ahead for good.

Archambault provided 14 points and Ray contributed 10. Westminster won the battle of the boards 36-29 behind a game-high 11 from Johnson.

Junior guards McKenzie Suggs and Bailey Paskach both came off the bench to top Illinois College with 14 points apiece. Junior forwards Brielle Greenleaf and Shannon Propst each chipped in with 12 points.

Westminster plays an exhibition game at Evansville University at 7 p.m. Tuesday.