Westminster's Vislay Picks Up NABC Academic Honor

Fulton, Mo. - Westminster College men’s basketball player Jake Vislay, a senior-to-be from Jefferson City, Missouri (Helias High School) has been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) 2009-10 Honors Court, which recognizes collegiate basketball student-athletes who excel in academics. To be eligible a candidate must be a junior or senior, have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher at the end of the school year and must have matriculated at least one year at their current institution (NCAA Division I, II, III, or NAIA).

Vislay, who is majoring in mathematics and business administration, is a Dean’s List student, an academic all-conference pick and a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. During the 2009-10 season, Vislay led the Blue Jay men’s basketball team in scoring (16.6 points a game) and 3-point field goal percentage (.442). He was named to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first team and earned Most Valuable Player awards at both the Rhodes Tip-Off Classic and the Nebraska Wesleyan Classic. Westminster finished 20-8, won a second SLIAC league title, and then won the SLIAC tournament to earn a berth in the NCAA Division III national tournament.

Westminster Blue Jays Earn SLIAC Academic Honors

Seven Westminster College basketball players have been named academic all-conference by the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference staff. The list includes four members of the Blue Jay men’s team (20-8) which won the league title, the conference tournament tile and qualified for the NCAA tournament, and three members of the women’s squad (13-11) which recorded the third winning season in history and qualified for the conference tournament for the second year in a row.

Click For SLIAC Release

Westminster Pushes #1 Washington U. To The Brink In Loss

In Friday’s NCAA Division III National Tournament first round basketball game in St. Louis, the Westminster College men cut #1 Washington University’s lead to three points at 72-69. But, that was as close as Blue Jays could come in the final two minutes in falling 79-71 to the two-time defending national champions.

The final score did not tell the story of this game. In the first half the two teams battled back and forth. The game was tied three times and there were eight lead changes. Only two late baskets enabled Washington U. to enter intermission with a 40-34 lead. Early in the second half there were four more lead changes and the host Bears could not pull away. The final score was the largest lead of the game for Washington U., which faces Illinois Wesleyan University in Saturday’s 7:00 p.m. second round game. Illinois Wesleyan slipped past Central College of Iowa 86-81 in Friday’s other first-round contest.

Senior Stanley Crawford played 40 minutes and scored 18 of his team-high 20 points in the second half to lead Westminster (20-8). Blue Jay junior Kurt Kovach finished with 15 points and a team-high six rebounds while freshman Skylar Tolson had the hot hand early, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the first half on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. Junior Justin Gilmore chipped in 11 points, freshman Briton Rudd added five points and junior Adam Mallette chipped in three points. Although he scored just two points, Westminster senior Ky Millard played 40 minutes and dished out six assists. Sean Wallis finished with a game-high 21 points and 13 assists for Washington U. (24-2).

Click For Statistics | Click For Photographs | KOMU-TV Highlights

Friday's  Tournament Appearance Not First For Westminster

When Westminster College tips off against Washington University at 8:00 p.m. Friday in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Tournament, Westminster will be making its first national tournament appearance since 1995. And while it will be just the second NCAA appearance for the Blue Jays, it will not be the school’s second national tournament appearance ever.

Westminster made three appearances in the NAIA National Tournament and compiled a 2-3 record in those events in 1938, 1939 and 1943. In both 1939 and 1943, the Blue Jays won their first-round game, but fell in the second round to the eventual national champions. Westminster lost to Southwestern (Kansas) 37-31 in 1938 and Cape Girardeau Teachers (now Southeast Missouri) 56-33 in 1943.

In Friday’s 8:00 p.m. NCAA game, Westminster (20-7) faces Washington U. (23-2). The host Bears are currently #1 in the nation and are the two-time defending national champions. Central College of Iowa (23-4) and Illinois Wesleyan University (20-7) meet in the evening’s other first-round game at 6:00 p.m., with the winners of the two first-round games meeting at 7:00 p.m. Saturday for a berth in the sectional.

All tournament games are available on the World Wide Web. Live stats and live video are available on the NCAA Regional site.

Click for Regional Site

Westminster Opens NCAA Play At 8:00 Friday In St. Louis

The Westminster College men’s basketball team will travel to St. Louis and play two-time defending national champion Washington University in first round action of the 2010 NCAA Division III National Tournament at 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 5, in the WU Field House in St. Louis.

Westminster (20-7, 13-3 SLIAC) earned an automatic bid after winning the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament title with a 74-67 win over Eureka College Saturday, February 27, on Iba Court in Historic Westminster Gym in Fulton. The Blue Jays, who are 0-1 all-time in the NCAA tournament, are meeting Washington University (23-2, 13-1 UAA), for the first time in national tournament play. Washington U. holds an 18-6 lead in the all-time series with Westminster. 

Central College of Iowa (23-4, 14-2 IIAC) and Illinois Wesleyan University (20-7, 10-4 CCIW) meet in the other first-round game on Friday at 6:00 p.m., with the winners of the two first-round games meeting at 7:00 p.m. Saturday in the quest for a sectional berth.

Click For Regional Web Site

NCAA Division III Men's Selection Show Monday

Westminster College men's basketball fans can watch the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Selection Show Monday, March 1. The show begins at 9:00 a.m. and is available on the World Wide Web.

Click For NCAA Site

Westminster Men Celebrate SLIAC Tournament Title And Awards

On Saturday, February 27, the Westminster College men’s basketball squad captured the 2010 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament title and the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament. But that was not all the team celebrated. Five members of the Westminster men’s basketball family were honored at the All-Star Trophy Awards Ceremonies which were held in conjunction with the title game.

Jake Vislay, a junior forward from Jefferson City, Missouri (Helias High School), was named to the all-conference first team. Stanley Crawford, a senior guard from St. Louis, Missouri (Hazelwood Central High School), was named to the all-conference second team, the all-defensive team and he landed a spot on the all-tournament team. Kurt Kovach, a junior guard from St. Peters, Missouri (Fort Zumwalt South High School), was an honorable mention selection. And Ky Millard, a senior forward from Columbia, Missouri (Rock Bridge High School), was named to the all-defensive team and was named SLIAC Tournament MVP.

Westminster Head Coach Matt Mitchell, who is in his 12th season coaching the Blue Jays, was named SLIAC Co-Coach of the Year. Mitchell earned the coach of the year award for the second consecutive year after guiding Westminster to its second consecutive league title and its first tournament title since 1995. Westminster is 40-14 over the past two seasons.

Click For SLIAC Release

Westminster Men Win SLIAC Tournament, Advance To NCAA

Fulton, Mo. - Westminster College captured the 2010 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament title and earned the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Tournament with a 74-67 victory over Eureka College before a packed Historic Westminster Gym crowd here Saturday afternoon. The Blue Jays, who last played in the NCAA tournament in 1995, will learn their NCAA pairing Monday morning.

Eureka scored first to open the game, but the first half was a see-saw affair with six ties and 11 lead changes. Westminster (20-7) grabbed a 34-29 lead at intermission and never trailed in the second half. Junior Jake Vislay scored 26 points to lead Westminster and junior Kurt Kovach added 11 points. Senior Stanley Crawford, who was named to the all-tournament team, finished with 10 points and four steals. Blue Jay senior Ky Millard, who joined Crawford on the all-tournament team and was named tournament MVP, finished with eight points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Kameron Bell, who was named to the all-tournament team, scored a game-high 29 points for Eureka (17-10).

All-Tournament Team:
Ky Millard, Westminster (MVP)
Stanley Crawford, Westminster
Kameron Bell, Eureka
Michael Zasada, Eureka
CJ McClellan, MacMurray
Drew Moore, Webster

Click For Statistics | Click For SLIAC Tournament Site

It's Not A Political Debate, It's A Basketball Game...

Fulton, Mo. – At 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 27, a political slugfest will be held on Iba Court in Historic Westminster Gym on the Westminster College campus between the Churchillians of Westminster and the Reaganites of Eureka College.

Actually, Westminster Coach Matt Mitchell will not be mistaken for Winston Churchill, who delivered a prophetic address in Historic Westminster Gym in 1946. And, Eureka Coach Chip Wilde will not be mistaken for President Ronald Reagan, who graduated from Eureka in 1932. But Saturday, Mitchell and Wilde will bring their campaign staffs to the site of Churchill’s speech to settle a season-long debate of who is the conference’s best. The 2010 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament champion will be crowned, with the winner earning a bid to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

These two groups have met in a couple of town-hall meetings during the 2009-10 campaign with each one holding serve on home turf. Now they meet again, and only time will tell which party will be able to deliver the knock-out punch and gain oratorical bragging rights until next year’s primary begins.

Admission for Saturday's debate (game) is $5 for adults and $2 for students from competing institutions and children under 16.

Tournament Notes: Westminster is playing in its sixth conference tournament title game. The Blue Jays are 1-4 and won their lone title in 1995 to advance to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Eureka, which joined the conference in 2006-07, is playing in its second tournament finale and is looking for its first crown.

Westminster Men Top Webster, Advance To SLIAC Final

The Westminster College men’s basketball squad topped Webster University 87-69 in semifinal round action of the St. Louis intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Thursday in Fulton. With the win, the Blue Jays advance to the conference tournament final against Eureka College who beat MacMurray College in the other semifinal, 98-78.

Westminster (19-7), who won the league crown to grab the top seed in the four-team tournament, built up a 48-31 lead at halftime and held off a late rally by fourth-seeded Webster. Senior Ky Millard led all scorers, finishing with 25 points and six rebounds. He was joined in double figures by senior Stanley Crawford and junior Justin Gilmore who finished with 14 points each. Junior Adam Mallete scored 11 points and junior Kurt Kovach added 10 points. Scott Restoff scored 19 points for Webster (13-13).

Westminster meets Eureka for the first-time ever in a conference tournament final, with the winner earning the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

Click For Statistics

SLIAC Men's Tournament
Westminster Gym (Iba Court), Fulton, Mo.
Thursday, Feb. 25: Semifinals
#3 Eureka 98, #2 MacMurray 78
#1 Westminster 87, #4 Webster 69
Saturday, Feb. 27: Championship
1:00 p.m. - Eureka at Westminster

Westminster Host Of 2010 SLIAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Fulton, Mo. – Westminster College is the host site for the 2010 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament. The two-day event will be played Thursday and Saturday, February 25 & 27, on Iba Court in Historic Westminster Gym on the Westminster campus.

The Westminster Blue Jays are the top seed for the four-team tournament. Third-seeded Eureka College (16-9) faces second-seeded MacMurray College (13-12) in the 6:00 p.m. game Thursday, followed at 8:00 p.m. by top-seeded Westminster (18-7) facing fourth-seeded Webster University (13-12). The winners meet at 1:00 p.m. Saturday for the tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

Admission for each day of the event is $5 for adults, and $2 for students from competing institutions and children under 16.

Westminster Men Win Shootout 111-105 On Senior Night

The Westminster College men withstood the 3-point shooting of Principia College and slipped away with a 111-105 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory in the regular-season finale Tuesday in Fulton, Missouri.

For the Blue Jays (18-7, 13-3 SLIAC), who are the top seed for this week’s conference tournament, it took double figure scoring from five players and more to secure the win. Junior Kurt Kovach scored a career-high 31 points, junior Jake Vislay finished with 22 points, senior Ky Millard added 15 points, senior Stanley Crawford added 13 points and junior Justin Gilmore contributed 12 points for a Westminster team that led 50-47 at halftime and scored a season-high 111 points. Sam Douglas scored a game-high 33 points and made 7 3-pointers for Principia (6-19, 3-13 SLIAC) which made 13 3-pointers in the game.

Westminster is the top seed for the conference tournament and will host the four-team event this Thursday and Saturday. Eureka College and MacMurray College meet in the 6:00 p.m. game Thursday, followed at 8:00 p.m. by Westminster and Webster University. The winners meet at 1:00 p.m. Saturday for the tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Click For Statistics

Westminster Men Trail Early In 82-56 Conference Loss

Westminster College trailed 44-26 at intermission and dropped an 82-56 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference decision to Eureka College Saturday in Eureka, Illinois.

The Blue Jays (17-7, 12-3 SLIAC) shot just 33 percent from the floor and were outrebounded 47-39. Junior Kurt Kovach was the lone Westminster player to reach double figures, finishing with 15 points, and junior Jake Vislay added nine points. Eureka (16-8, 10-5 SLIAC) got a double-double from two seniors playing their final home games. Michael Zasada finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Kameron Bell added 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Westminster has dropped two road games in a row and heads home to host Principia College Tuesday in the regular-season finale. The conference tournament is Thursday and Saturday in Fulton.

Click For SLIAC Standings | Click For Statistics

Westminster College Seniors Nearing End Of Careers

Fulton, Mo. - Westminster College senior basketball players Markie England, Whitney Meurer, Stanley Crawford and Ky Millard are nearing the end of their final regular seasons. But, their careers are not over. Both the Westminster women and men have qualified for post-season play.

England, Meurer and the Blue Jay women stand 11-10 overall and 9-5 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic conference play with two games remaining. Westminster has qualified for the four-team conference tournament and will play on the road at a site to be determined. The tournament is February 26 & 27.

England, a 6-0 forward from Centralia, Missouri (Centralia), is a four-year starter who has played in 93 games in her career. England is a Dean’s List student and has been a team captain both her junior and senior seasons. She enters Saturday’s game with 776 career points, 463 career rebounds and 107 career assists.

Meurer, a 5-8 guard from St. James, Missouri (St. James), is a four-year member of the women’s basketball squad who became a starter this season before having her career cut short by injury. Meurer is a team captain this season and was named to the Rhodes Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team in November and was named SLIAC Player of the Week for Jan. 4-10 after making a school-record eight 3-pointers in an 80-37 home win over Greenville on January 9. She has appeared in 90 career games and concludes her career with 528 points, 94 3-pointers, 173 rebounds and 94 assists.

Crawford, Millard and the Westminster men stand 17-6 overall and 12-2 in SLIAC league play. The Blue Jays have won back-to-back league titles and are planning to host the four-team conference tournament February 25 & 27.

Crawford, a 6-3 guard from St. Louis, Missouri (Hazelwood Central), came to Westminster after two years at Meramec Community College and he has had an immediate impact on the team, helping the Blue Jays win back-to-back SLIAC league titles. He has started each of his 50 games and as a junior Crawford was named to the Rhema Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team and he earned SLIAC Second Team All-Conference and SLIAC All-Defensive Team honors. He enters this week’s play with 664 career points, 257 career rebounds and 118 career assists.

Millard, a 6-4 forward from Columbia, Missouri (Rock Bridge), is a four-year member of the Blue Jay men’s basketball squad and has been a part of 69 wins, more than any other player in the SLIAC history of Westminster men’s basketball. He has been a part of Westminster teams that have gone 69-30 and he has helped the Blue Jays win back-to-back SLIAC league titles. As a junior he earned SLIAC All-Tournament and All-Defensive Team honors. He enters the weekend with 538 career points, 368 career rebounds and 245 career assists.

Remaining Regular Season Schedule
Women:
Sat., Feb. 20, * at Eureka, Eureka, Ill., 1:00
Tues., Feb. 23, * Principia (Senior Night), Home, 6:00
Men:
Sat., Feb. 20, * at Eureka, Eureka, Ill., 3:00
Tues., Feb. 23, * Principia (Senior Night), Home, 8:00
* SLIAC Contests

Blue Jay Men Come Up Short At MacMurray College

The Westminster College men trailed 33-30 at halftime and dropped an 81-71 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest to MacMurray College Saturday in Jacksonville. The two teams are one and two in the league standings and split the season series.

Junior Jake Vislay led the Blue Jays (17-6, 12-2 SLIAC) with 21 points, while junior Kurt Kovach finished with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Brady Slagle scored a game-high 25 points for MacMurray (11-11, 10-4 SLIAC).

Westminster has two league games remaining in the regular-season, but the Blue Jays have already qualified for the four-team conference tournament. The pairings for the tournament, which will be played Thursday and Saturday, February 25 & 27, at the home site of the top seed, will be announced when determined.

Click For Statistics

Westminster Men Win, Secure Share of League Crown

The Westminster College men secured a share of the 2009-10 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference league crown with an 88-84 overtime victory over Webster University Wednesday in Fulton. It is the second league title in a row for the Blue Jays.

Freshman Briton Rudd (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) scored a career-high 25 points to pace Westminster (17-5, 12-1 SLIAC). Junior Jake Vislay added 19 points to move his two-year career total to 703 points, senior Stanley Crawford added 17 points, and freshman Skylar Tolson finished with 13 points. Drew Moore scored a game-high 26 points for Webster (10-12, 7-6 SLIAC).

Click For Statistics

Ky Millard Steps Out Of The Shadows At Westminster

Fulton, Mo. - Westminster College senior forward Ky Millard may play in the shadow of his younger brother Trey, who is heading to the University of Oklahoma on an NCAA Division I football scholarship. But, Ky Millard does not play in the shadows as a member of the Blue Jay men’s basketball team.

Ky Millard is a four-year member of the Westminster men’s squad and he is the only four-year senior on this year’s squad. And, he is a part of more wins than any player in the NCAA Division III history of Westminster men’s basketball. After Saturday’s 81-75 overtime victory at Greenville College, Ky Millard and the Blue Jays are 68-29 over the past four seasons.

Statistically, Ky Millard is averaging 7.5 points a game and is this year’s team leader in minutes played per game (30.1), rebounds a game (5.8), and assists a game (4.5). And is Saturdy's victory he dished out a career-high 13 assists, one short of the Westminster individual school record.

Year-By-Year
2006-07: 15-9
2007-08: 17-8
2008-09: 20-7
2009-10: 16-5
Total: 68-29

Blue Jay Men Rally Late And Secure Overtime Road Win

The Westminster College men overcame a 31-26 halftime deficit, went to overtime and came away with an 81-75 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win over Greenville College Saturday in Greenville, Illinois. The Blue Jays (16-5, 11-1 SLIAC), who lead the league by three games, won both games this season from Greenville (8-12, 5-7 SLIAC).

Five players finished in double figures for Westminster, led by juniors Justin Gilmore and Jake Vislay who each scored 16 points. Senior Stanley Crawford added 13 points, junior Kurt Kovach tallied 12 points and freshman Skylar Tolson finished with 10 points. Senior Ky Millard dished out a career-high 13 assists, one short of the Westminster individual school record. Greenville was led by K.J. Hilliard’s game-high 21 points.

Click For Statistics

Westminster Men Suffer First SLIAC Loss, Streak Ends 

The Westminster College men suffered their first St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference loss and saw their winning streak end at nine games with a 79-63 road defeat Wednesday at Fontbonne University in St. Louis.

The Blue Jays (15-5, 10-1 SLIAC) trailed 41-29 at intermission and were outrebounded 43-33. Junior Jake Vislay scored 17 points, junior Kurt Kovach finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, and senior Stanley Crawford added 10 points. Fontbonne (7-13, 4-7 SLIAC) was led by Chris Forrest who recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Fontbonne/Greenville Games Broadcast On The Web

Both the Westminster College men and women will have this week's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball games at Fontbonne University and Greenville College broadcast on the World Wide Web. The broadcasts, which begin at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday and 12:50 p.m. Saturday, are a part of a package with the Prepcasts Broadcasting Network.

To access the broadcast site:
Go to www.prepcasts.com
Click This Week on Prepcasts
Click on the game of choice

Westminster Keeps Streak Alive With 71-52 Home Win

Westminster College ran its men's winning streak to nine games to improve to 15-4 on the season and 10-0 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action by recording a 71-52 victory over Blackburn College (3-14, 1-9 SLIAC) Saturday afternoon in Fulton.

Junior Kurt Kovach paced the Blue Jays with 13 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Skylar Tolson and junior Justin Gilmore each finished with nine points off the bench, while senior Ky Millard contributed 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Click For Statistics

Blue Jays Triumph Again With 64-57 Home Victory

The Westminster College men won their eighth game in a row and moved to 14-4 overall and 9-0 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a 64-57 home win over Spalding University Thursday.

The Blue Jays trailed 29-27 at intermission, but rallied in the second half. Junior Jake Vislay scored 14 of his team-high 23 points in the second half and senior Stanley Crawford scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half to key the rally. Dewhon Mcafee tallied a game-high 26 points for Spalding (8-11, 5-5 SLIAC).

Click For Statistics

Westminster Men Remain In Conference Lead, Now 8-0

Westminster College finished the first half of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men’s basketball schedule undefeated with a 71-59 victory over Webster University Saturday in St. Louis.

The Blue Jays (13-4, 8-0 SLIAC) shot 47 percent from the field and got double figure scoring from three players. Juniors Kurt Kovach and Jake Vislay each tallied 12 points and junior Justin Gilmore finished with 11 points off the bench. Webster (8-9, 5-3 SLIAC) shot just 37 percent from the field.

Blue Jay Bits: The 8-0 SLIAC league start is the best-ever for the Blue Jays…Vislay has led the team in scoring or shared the team lead in 11 games this season…Saturday’s win was the first for Coach Matt Mitchell in 13 games in Webster’s Grant Gymnasium.

Click For Statistics

Westminster Games At Webster Broadcast On The Web

Both the Westminster College men and women will have their St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball games at Webster University this Saturday, January 23, broadcast on the World Wide Web. The broadcasts, which begin at 12:50 p.m., are a part of a package with the Prepcasts Broadcasting Network.

To access the broadcast site:
Go to www.prepcasts.com
Click This Week on Prepcasts
Click on the game of choice

Westminster Wins Big, 7-0 In SLIAC League Play For First Time

The Westminster College men rolled to an 86-52 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Fontbonne University Wednesday in Fulton. With the win, the Blue Jays improve to 12-4 overall and start SLIAC league play 7-0 for the first time ever.

Click For Statistics

Blue Jay Men Extend Winning Streak, Now 6-0 In League

Four players scored in double figures as the Westminster College men won their fifth game in a row with a 72-68 victory over Eureka College Saturday in Fulton.

The Blue Jays (11-4, 6-0 SLIAC) stand in first place in the league standings and have started conference play 6-0 for the third season in a row. Junior Kurt Kovach scored 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds, and freshman Skylar Tolson scored 15 points off the bench. Junior Jake Vislay added 13 points and nine rebounds and senior Ky Millard added 10 points for a Westminster squad which led 37-34 at intermission. Michael Zasada finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Jordan Kindred scored 15 points for Eureka (9-5, 4-2 SLIAC).

Click For Statistics

Blue Jays Prevail Again, Move Winning Streak To Four Games

Westminster College extended its men's winning streak to four games with an 85-67 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Principia College Tuesday in Elsah, Illinois.

Junior Jake Vislay scored 17 points for the Blue Jays (10-4, 5-0 SLIAC), freshman Briton Rudd scored a career-high 16 points and senior Ky Millard finished with 14 points and four assists. Stuart Waller scored 15 points to lead Principia (3-10, 1-4 SLIAC).

Click For Statistics

Westminster Sweeps SLIAC Doubleheader From Greenville

The Westminster College basketball squads came up big, sweeping a pair of St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contests from Greenville College Saturday in Fulton.

Senior Whitney Meurer made a school record eight 3-ponters and finished with a game-high 28 points in leading the Westminster women to an 80-37 victory over Greenville. Meurer went 8-of-14 from long range to break the previous record of six 3-pointers which had been done four times.

The Blue Jay women (5-6, 3-1 SLIAC) jumped out to an 8-0 lead and never trailed in building a 45-21 lead by intermission. Although Meurer was the lone double digit scorer for Westminster, sophomore Heather Letourneau finished with nine points and 10 other players scored. Katelyn Wise tallied 11 points for Greenville (4-7, 2-2 SLIAC).

Not to be outdone, the Westminster men overcame a slow start to top Greenville 94-74. The Blue Jays (9-4, 4-0 SLIAC) were down in the opening minutes, but grabbed a 12-11 lead and never trailed, although Greenville cut an 18-point second-half deficit to six points at 65-59 before Westminster put the game away.

Four players scored in double figures for Westminster, led by seniors Stanley Crawford and Ky Millard, who finished with 21 and 18 points, respectively. Junior Jake Vislay tallied 16 points and junior Justin Gilmore added 14 points off the bench. LaPhonso Ellis led all scorers with 24 points for Greenville (4-8, 1-3 SLIAC).

Click For Men's Statistics

Westminster Splits SLIAC Doubleheader In Kentucky

The Westminster College women lost and the Blue Jay men won in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball action Wednesday at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Westminster women (4-6, 2-1 SLIAC) shot just 25 percent from the floor and dropped a 49-36 decision to Spalding (5-7, 2-2 SLIAC). Senior Whitney Meurer scored nine points and added six rebounds to lead the Blue Jays, while sophomore Rachel Backes finished with nine points for a Westminster squad which trailed 24-17 at halftime.

Senior Ky Millard recorded a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds as the Westminster men (8-4, 3-0 SLIAC) recorded a 64-60 win over Spalding (4-8, 2-2 SLIAC).  The Blue Jays, who led 28-27 at intermission, got 12 points from senior Stanley Crawford, 11 points each from juniors Jake Vislay and Kurt Kovach, and 10 points from junior Justin Gilmore.

Westminster returns home to host Greenville College in a SLIAC doubleheader Saturday with the women’s game tipping off at 1:00 p.m., followed by the men’s game.

Westminster Basketball Teams Both Open Year With Wins

Both the Westminster College men and women opened 2010 with St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball wins over MacMurray College Saturday in Fulton.

The Blue Jay women (4-5, 2-0 SLIAC) led from start to finish in recording a 74-60 victory over MacMurray (1-7, 1-2 SLIAC). Sophomore Rachel Backes paced the Westminster attack with 15 points and senior Markie England added 14 points. Freshman Mary Barber added 11 points for a Blue Jay team which shot 52 percent from the floor and won the battle of the boards 37-33.

Westminster captured the men’s game 73-64 after a see-saw first half which saw six ties and six lead changes. The Blue Jays (7-4, 2-0 SLIAC), who were playing their first home game of the season, led 34-30 at intermission and made free throws down the stretch to secure the win over MacMurray (1-9, 1-2 SLIAC). Junior Jake Vislay scored a game-high 18 points and junior Justin Gilmore added 15 points. Senior Stanley Crawford finished with 14 points and six rebounds while junior Kurt Kovach tossed in 10 points. Westminster shot 50 percent from the floor in the game and made 16-of-19 free throws.

Click For Men’s Statistics

Blue Jay Men Close Out 2009 With Division I Road Loss

The NCAA Division III Westminster College men’s basketball squad closed out 2009 with a 71-59 road loss to NCAA Division I University of Tennessee-Martin Wednesday afternoon in Martin, Tennessee. For Westminster (6-4), which had won six games in a row, the loss to Tennessee-Martin (2-9) was the third loss in the three-game series that dates back to 1979.

The Blue Jays took the first lead of the game and the lead changed hands three more times and was tied once, before Tennessee-Martin took control and built up a 15-point lead. Westminster cut the deficit to eight points in the final two minutes of the first half, but the Skyhawks scored late to take a 41-30 advantage into intermission.

Westminster would fall behind by 18 points at 56-38 with 10:43 remaining in the game, but a 15-2 run enabled the Blue Jays to cut the deficit to 58-53 with 5:09 to go. Tennessee-Martin regained a double-digit lead; however Westminster rallied back and trailed just 63-59 with three minutes showing on the clock. The Blue Jays would not score again and the Skyhawks made 7-of-8 free throws in the final two minutes to secure the win.

Junior Jake Vislay led Westminster with 19 points. Senior Stanley Crawford finished with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists, and junior Kurt Kovach added 12 points and nine rebounds. Senior Ky Millard contributed nine points, six rebounds and four assists to the Blue Jay cause. Reuben Clayton paced Tennessee-Martin with a game-high 20 points.

Click For Statistics

Live Stats Available For Tennessee-Martin Game

Westminster College basketball fans can follow the Blue Jay men at Tennessee-Martin on Wednesday, December 30, on the World Wide Web. Live stats will be available beginning with the 4:00 p.m. tip-off.

Click For Live Stats

Westminster's Vislay Scores 30 Points In 65-58 Victory

Junior Jake Vislay scored 30 points in leading the Westminster College men to a 65-58 non-conference victory over Concordia University Tuesday in River Forest, Illinois. It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools in men’s basketball.

The Blue Jays (6-3) jumped out to a 36-18 lead at halftime over Concordia (5-4) and coasted to their sixth win in a row after opening the season with three losses. Senior Stanley Crawford joined Vislay in double figures, finishing with 11 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Skylar Tolson added seven points and senior Ky Millard finished with seven rebounds.

Click For Statistics

Video Of Westminster/Concordia U. Game On Web

Live video of the Westminster College/Concordia University game is available on the World Wide Web. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22. 

Westminster Wins On Road, Captures Fifth In A Row

After letting an 11-point second-half lead slip away, the Westminster College men came back from a 59-58 deficit to top host Elmhurst College 63-60 Monday in Elmhurst, Illinois.

The Westminster Blue Jays (5-3), who have won five in a row, trailed 30-28 at intermission, but grabbed the lead early in the second half and went up 50-39 with 11:00 showing on the clock. The host Elmhurst Bluejays (4-5) used a 19-7 run to grab a 58-57 advantage with 1:45 to go. Westminster scored on its next possession and made 4-of-6 free throws in the closing seconds to secure the victory.

Senior Stanley Crawford led Westminster with 13 points and senior Ky Millard added 10 points. Junior Justin Gilmore finished with nine points and eight rebounds while freshman Skylar Tolson aided the Westminster cause with nine points. Dustin Bainter paced Elmhurst with a game-high 20 points.

Westminster Game At Elmhurst Available On The Web

The Westminster College men's basketball game at Elmhurst College at 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 21, is on the World Wide Web. Both a broadcast and live stats will be available.

Blue Jay Men roll To 106-95 Win In SLIAC Opener

Five players scored in double figures as the Westminster College men opened St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a 106-95 win over Blackburn College Saturday in Carlinville, Illinois.

Junior Jake Vislay scored a team-high 30 points in leading the Blue Jays (4-3, 1-0 SLIAC) to their fourth consecutive win. Senior Stanley Crawford finished with 16 points and a game-high eight rebounds, and junior Justin Gilmore scored 12 points. Freshman Skylar Tolson added 11 points and junior Corey Lane finished with 10 points for a Westminster squad which went 33-of-37 from the free throw line. Rod Sykes scored a game-high 32 points for Blackburn (1-5, 0-2 SLIAC).

Westminster SLIAC Basketball Openers On The Web

Both the Westminster College men and women will have their St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball openers broadcast on the World Wide Web this Saturday from Carlinville, Illinois. The broadcasts are a part of a package with the Prepcasts Broadcasting Network.

To access the broadcast site:
Go to www.prepcasts.com
Click This Week on Prepcasts
Click on the game of choice

Westminster Junior Receives SLIAC Weekly Honor

Westminster College junior Jake Vislay has been named St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for his play in the Snyder Classic this past weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Click For SLIAC Release

Blue Jays Capture Third Win To Reach .500 Mark

The Westminster College men topped host Nebraska Wesleyan University 69-57 in the final game of the Snyder Classic Saturday in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Blue Jays have won three games in a row to move to 3-3 on the year.

Junior Jake Vislay scored a game-high 21 points to pace the Westminster attack and was named Snyder Classic MVP. Junior Justin Gilmore added 13 points, while senior Stanley Crawford, junior Kurt Kovach and freshman Skylar Tolson each scored 10 points. Senior Ky Millard grabbed a game-high ten rebounds and dished out six assists and joined Vislay on the All-Classic Team.

Vislay And Millard Lead Westminster To 86-57 Victory

Westminster College captured its second men’s basketball win in a row with an 86-57 victory over Crown College (Minn.) in the first day of play of the Snyder Classic at Nebraska Wesleyan University Friday in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Blue Jays (2-3) led 50-25 at halftime in winning the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Junior Jake Vislay paced Westminster with 15 points, and senior Ky Millard finished with 10 points, a game-high six rebounds and a game-high six assists.

Westminster faces host Nebraska Wesleyan in the second day of play at 7:30 Saturday. The game will be broadcast on the World Wide Web (see link below).

Westminster/Nebraska Wesleyan Game To Be On WWW

This weekend the Westminster College men play in the Snyder Classic at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. And, Saturday's 7:30 p.m. game against host Nebraska Wesleyan will be broadcast on the world wide web.

Men's Recent Basketball Schedules/Results (1-3):
Fri.-Sat., Nov. 20-21, at Rhodes Tip-Off Classic, Memphis, Tenn.
 Nov. 20, vs. Hendrix, Memphis, Tenn., L 80-78
 Nov. 21, at Rhodes, Memphis, Tenn., W 80-79
Fri.-Sat., Nov. 27-28, at Snyder Classic, Lincoln, Neb.
 Nov. 27, vs. Crown (Minn.), Lincoln, Neb., 5:30
 Nov. 28, at Nebraska Wesleyan, Lincoln, Neb., 7:30

Westminster Blue Jay Men Break Streak, Get First Win

Senior Stanley Crawford made two free throws with five seconds remaining to give the Westminster College men an 80-76 lead. The Blue Jays held on for an 80-79 win over host Rhodes College and snap a three-game losing streak in the second day and final game of the Rhodes Tip-Off Classic Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee.

Westminster (1-3) led 44-42 at halftime and the game was tied seven times in the second half before junior junior Justin Gilmore hit a 3-pointer to give the Blue Jays the lead to stay with 20 seconds remaining. Junior Jake Vislay led Westminster with 17 points, Gilmore finished with 12 points and junior Kurt Kovach added 12 points.

Vislay, who was named Classic MVP, also led the Westminster offense in Friday’s contest. He scored a game-high 26 points Friday, but Hendrix College scored the game-winning basket with 20 seconds remaining and Westminster’s game-tying field goal rolled off the rim at the buzzer in an 80-78 loss.

Men's Weekend Schedule/Results:
Fri.-Sat., Nov. 20-21, at Rhodes Tip-Off Classic
Nov. 20, vs. Hendrix, Memphis, Tenn., L 80-78 (0-3)
Nov. 21, at Rhodes, Memphis, Tenn., W 80-79 (1-3)

Westminster Men Fall To #5 University Of Central Missouri

The Westminster College (0-2) men dropped their second game in three days, falling 86-51 to the University of Central Missouri (1-0) Tuesday in Warrensburg. UCM is ranked fifth nationally in the NCAA Division II preseason poll.

Freshman Skylar Tolson and junior Justin Gilmore each scored seven points for the Blue Jays, and senior Stanley Crawford finished with six points and a team-high six rebounds for Westminster. Sanijay Watts scored a game-high 21 points for the Mules, who won game number 1,500 in the UCM program’s history.

Broadcast And Live Stats Available For WC/UCM Game

Both a broadcast and live stats of the Westminster College men's basketball game at the University of Central Missouri are available on the World Wide Web. 

Westminster Men Open Season With 84-63 Road Loss

Senior Stanley Crawford (St. Louis, Mo./Hazelwood Central) scored 23 points, but it was not enough as the Westminster College men opened the 2009-10 basketball season with an 84-63 loss to Illinois College Sunday in Jacksonville, Illinois.

The Blue Jays (0-1), who got 10 points from freshman Skylar Tolson (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge), were outrebounded by 21 caroms and shot 37 percent from the floor in the game. Illinois College (1-0) shot 51 percent from the field.

Blue Jay Basketball Seasons Around The Corner

The Westminster College men and women open their 2009-10 basketball seasons in the next week.

The Blue Jay men open their season at Illinois College Sunday, and the women host Ozark Christian College Tuesday. Both Westminster varsity teams are picked first in their respective St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pre-season polls.

Men's Basketball:
Sun., Nov. 15, at Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ill., 3:00
Tues., Nov. 17, at Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo., 7:00

Men's JV Basketball:
Sun., Nov. 15, at Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ill., 1:00
Wed., Nov. 18, at Fontbonne, St. Louis, Mo., TBA

Women's Basketball:
Tues., Nov. 17, Ozark Christian, Home, 5:00

Westminster Blue Jay Basketball Squads Picked #1

Both the Westminster College men and women are picked first in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Men's & Women's Basketball Pre-Season Coaches' Polls.

Click For SLIAC Release

Four Join Westminster College (Mo.) Coaching Staff

Fulton, Mo. - Four individuals have recently joined the Westminster College coaching staff in a variety of sports and capacities.

Dave Dyson has joined the staff as men’s golf coach and assistant men’s basketball coach. Dyson was a multi-sport high school athlete in Nebraska. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 2000 with a degree in elementary education, and taught and coached in the Lincoln School district for over six years. He is engaged to Jen Simeck, Westminster head women’s soccer coach.

Ashley Hamblin has been named assistant women’s soccer coach. Hamblin graduated from the University of Missouri where she completed a four-year playing career on the 2008 Big 12 tournament champions. She is currently in graduate school at MU.

Reed Cooper has joined the men’s soccer staff as an assistant coach. Cooper, who graduated from the University of West Virginia in 2008 and played on three NCAA tournament teams, lives in St. Louis. He will be involved in recruiting and training.

Liz Jansen, a 2009 graduate of Westminster, in an assistant volleyball coach. Jansen was a four-time academic all-conference pick during her four-year playing career and a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society.