MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Seana Stoia scored a game-high 27 points to direct the University of Dallas Lady Crusaders to a win over the Westminster Lady Blue Jays during their second game of the Rhodes College Tournament on Sunday.
Westminster (1-5) took a 16-12 advantage after the first quarter and held a 28-22 lead at halftime. Dallas (4-1) outscored the Lady Blue Jays 22-15 in the third quarter to take a 44-43 lead.
"This was a lesson in mental preparation for competition," Westminster head coach Tracey Braden said. "We learned that you can't rest on what we did yesterday (a 70-48 win over Rhodes College in the opening-round game on Saturday)."
Senior forward Andrea Zalis paced Westminster with 15 points as the Lady Blue Jays shot just 32 percent (17-of-53) from the field. Sophomore forward Mirrakohl Johnson scored 13 points and brought down a game-high eight rebounds to help Westminster take a 41-28 edge on the boards.
Michelle DeCoud scored 14 points for the Lady Crusaders as they shot 42 percent (22-of-53) from the field.
The Lady Blue Jays picked up their first win of the season on Saturday night after they beat the host Lady Lynx (1-2).
Westminster went up 17-14 after the first quarter and maintained a 33-21 advantage at halftime. The Lady Blue Jays outscored Rhodes 19-11 in the third period to stretch their lead to 52-32.
Freshman guard Brooke Stauffer led Westminster with a game-high 14 points as the Lady Blue Jays shot 41 percent (27-of-66) from the field. Sophomore forward Ali Perry tallied 13 points, while Johnson came up with 12 and Zalis added 11.
Johnson also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds - six on offense - as Westminster dominated Rhodes on the boards 52-32.
"Our posts really stepped up tonight," Braden said. "They battled on the boards all night, and 19 offensive boards is huge for us."
Kaelee Overfield paced Rhodes - which shot a dismal 29 percent (16-of-55) - with 11 points.
The Lady Blue Jays host their St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener against Fontbonne at 6 p.m. Wednesday.