SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UBC Thunderbirds lost 64-36 to the host Westmont (Calif.) Warriors at the Westmont Holiday Classic women's basketball tournament Thursday at Murchison Gym in Santa Barbara, Calif., Friday.
 
Kara Spotton led UBC with 19 points, including all 10 of the team's points in the opening quarter. The senior forward made eight of her 15 field goal attempts, and also had a team-best seven rebounds. Guard Jessica Hanson had seven points while guard Krysten Lindquist recorded five assists.
 
After back-to-back baskets from Chelsea Hamming and Keylyn Filewich midway through the second quarter, the 'Birds trailed 20-17. Westmont took a 29-23 lead into the mid-game break. Spotton got a steal and then converted a jumper with a second left in the quarter to cut the UBC deficit to two possessions.
 
However, Westmont opened the second half with a 10-0 run to take control of the game as the visitors never got to within single digits of the Warriors after that.
 
UBC shot 30.6 per cent from the field, making 15 of 49 attempts, while Westmont was successful on 19 of 52 chances (36.5 per cent). The hosts also got the foul line 28 times, making 22 shots, while the T-Birds were 4-for-8.
 
UBC, currently 8-0 in the Canada West league standings, will resume conference play next weekend (Jan. 6-7) in Saskatoon against the Saskatchewan Huskies.