SURPRISE, Ariz. – Despite four players in double figures and three of those scoring 20-plus points, the OUAZ men's basketball team couldn't get enough stops to upset No. 22 Westmont as the fell 99-92 in the Golden State Athletic Conference opener at Faith Arena.
 
OUAZ (3-4, 0-1 GSAC) shot a season-best 54.1 percent from the field – third-best percentage in team history – with 56 points in the paint. The Spirit converted 65 percent of the 2-point attempts, but went just 2 of 13 from beyond the arc.
 
Westmont (9-0, 1-0) also took advantage of 20 OUAZ turnovers by turning them into 22 points. The Warriors shot 53.2 percent from the floor while making 9 of 23 from three. The visitors had a 40-38 advantage in rebounds in part to their 16 offensive boards.
 
This was the first time in program history that three Spirit players scored 20-plus points in the same game. Dimetres Moore led the trio with 28 points on 10 of 21 shooting and hitting both of the team's 3-pointers and getting four steals.
 
Brian Carey had 20 points, five rebounds, and four steals for his third straight 20-point outing. Elijah Simmons established his new career high with his 20 points while adding seven rebounds. Shazier Lawson finished with 18 points and nine boards.
 
OUAZ trailed by 16 midway through the second half after Westmont used a 14-4 run to open their largest lead of the game. The Spirit used a 21-11 run of their own to get within 88-82 with 3:45 remaining. They weren't able to come all the way back despite getting within five on two occasions in the final minute.
 
Things don't get any easier for the Spirit as they now get set to face No. 2 The Master's on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Faith Arena.