Three-Pointers Pave Way to Title For Westminster

Westminster, looking for its first outright league title in school history, rained three-pointers on Saddleback Tuesday.

In a span of 2 minutes 27 seconds in the first quarter, the Lions made six three-point baskets, including four in succession, and went on to a 77-48 victory over the Roadrunners.

Leading the way were seniors Diana Hernandez and Holly Armstrong, who scored 24 and 22 each.

Westminster is 20-5, 7-0 in league with one game to play. Saddleback finished 14-10, 6-2.

Leading 2-0 on a pair of free throws, Hernandez began the blitz at 6:39. Sixty-nine seconds later, Hernandez connected again.

They were just warming up. Armstrong made three three-pointers and Hernandez another in a 52-second span, providing a 20-2 lead only 3:49 into the game.

“With all those threes, six in a row, it’s tough to come back,” said Saddleback Coach Robert Morgan, whose team was trying to win a share of its first league title since the 1974-75 season. “They shoot so well, at any time, all five of their players can go outside and shoot.”

Armstrong tied a school record with six three-pointers, and Hernandez--who tied the record earlier in the season--had five. The Lions’ 11 three-pointers, on 29 attempts, set a school single-game record.

“It means a lot to win the title outright,” said Armstrong, a four-year starter. “It feels good to be a champion, but it feels better to have it yourself.”

It’s the third consecutive league title for Westminster, its fourth in five years.

The Westminster defense, hampered by early foul trouble and not as sharp as usual, still forced 32 turnovers, including seven steals by Armstrong, six by Christine Arganda and four by Biava Arganda.

Saddleback made 12 of only 39 shots, compared to Westminster’s 24 of 76. Denise de la Rosa scored 25 for Saddleback.

In another league game:

Santa Ana 32, Tustin 29--Santa Ana (5-18, 3-4) outscored the Tillers (4-20, 2-5) at the free-throw line, making 11 of 23 compared to Tustin’s eight of 19, to take over third place in the battle for an automatic playoff berth. Elizabeth Crandall scored nine points for the Saints.