Five in a Row and Still Climbing

CARLINVILLE, IL — Blackburn delivered a complete performance on its home floor, using defensive pressure, balanced scoring, and a dominant first-half surge to power past Westminster, 84–70, stretching its winning streak to five straight games.

Junior Kcion Welch led the charge for the Beavers with 21 points, shooting 72% from the field. Freshman Jaylen Jeter and junior Kamerin Carter followed close behind. Jeter recorded 17 points, three rebounds, and one steal, while Carter added 14 points, shot 100% from the line, and contributed two assists and three steals.

The Beavers set the tone immediately as Welch opened the scoring and sparked an early run with confident shooting from the perimeter. Junior Payton Cook controlled the glass and finished inside, while Evan Jordan disrupted passing lanes and turned steals into transition opportunities. Blackburn's energy on both ends helped build a steady cushion midway through the half.

After Westminster briefly trimmed the margin, Blackburn responded with one of its best stretches of the night. Carter and Jeter fueled the offense with timely buckets, and Welch added another strong finish at the rim. The Beavers locked in defensively over the final minutes of the half, forcing turnovers and converting them into points. A late flurry of three-pointers from Jeter and Jordan pushed the lead to 52–29 at the break.

Blackburn carried that momentum into the second half. Jordan opened with another steal-and-score sequence, Jeter attacked the paint, and senior Cayden Paquette knocked down a three to stretch the advantage. The Beavers continued to rotate fresh bodies while maintaining intensity, with contributions across the lineup keeping the pace high.

Cook added a key second-half three and continued battling inside, while Welch scored efficiently to maintain control. Late in the game, Blackburn's depth shone as reserves provided strong minutes, defensive rebounds, and hustle plays to close things out. Even as Westminster made a late push, the Beavers stayed composed and answered at the free-throw line to seal the 84–70 win.

The Blackburn men's basketball team returns to the Beaver Dome for its final regular-season conference matchup on Wednesday the 18th, with a 7:30 p.m. start.