JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Westminster women's basketball earned a commanding 70-43 victory over SLIAC opponent MacMurray after taking two weeks off for the holiday break.

The Blue Jays improve to 4-8 overall and 3-2 in the conference. The Highlanders fall to 0-5 in the SLIAC with the loss. 

"This was a nice win coming out of the break," said senior captain Bailey Mitchell. "We got to see some competition besides ourselves to get us back into conference play. We took care of the ball really well which helped us get good looks and not give up anything easy for them in transition." 

The Blue Jays opened the game on an 11-2 run and never trailed after Kelsey Ray started the team out with two made freethrows. After six points from Ray in the first quarter, Westminster led 19-9 after the first 10 minutes. 

Westminster extended their lead to 35-21 going into the second half.

A 6-0 run started the second half for the Blue Jays. Five points from Andrea Zalis in the third quarter gave Westminster an 18-point lead.

Juli Hix scored all 10 of her points in the fourth quarter and was one of two Blue Jays to end the game in double figures. 

"Our bench came in and played hard," said Hix. "We made good things happen out of pure hustle. It feels good to start the second half of the season with a confidence win."

Zalis led the team with 17 points and nine rebounds on top of Hix's 10. Westminster tallied a basket from 11 players.

"While we may not have shot our best outside game, we still found ways to get to the basket and come up with a nice win on the road," said Mitchell.

The Blue Jays return home for the first time in 2017 Saturday at 1 p.m. against SLIAC opponent Blackburn.