(Box Score)

The very thing that allowed Webster to keep the game close, ultimately undid them.

Holding a three-point lead with less than a minute remaining, Webster had two turnovers and missed two free throws as Fontbonne overcame two separate six-point deficits in posting the 80-77 overtime victory Wednesday in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action.

After hitting on 16-of-17 (94 percent) from the free throw line in the first half, the Gorloks managed just 13-of-23 (56 percent) from the charity stripe in the second half. Conversely, Fontbonne was 4-of-4 from the line in the final six seconds.

A missed free throw at the end of regulation kept Webster from taking a three-point lead, and putback at the buzzer off an offensive rebound sent the game into the extra session. Webster missed three of their last four attempts from the charity stripe.

Early in the overtime session, freshman Bobbiann Auer nearly stole the show for Webster. The diminutive point guard scored six straight points to open overtime to give the Gorloks the early lead. After scoring six points in the first minute of the extra period, Webster secured three points in the final four minutes.

The loss severely damaged Webster’s chances of qualifying for the SLIAC postseason tournament as they are two games behind the Griffins with four games remaining. It was also the Gorloks’ first overtime loss in three tries this season, including an overtime victory over Fontbonne in the teams first meeting.

Fontbonne took the control of the game by simply beating the Gorloks down the court in transition. The easy shots enabled the Griffins to hit on 51 percent (16-of-31) from the field, including 50 percent (6-of-12) from behind the arc, in the opening 20 minutes.

The ability to get to the foul line was the lone saving grace for Webster in the first half as they were in the bonus nine minutes into the first half. Getting to the free throw line also helped partially mask the fact Webster had more turnovers than made baskets in the first half.

Junior Julie McGirl scored a career-high 25 points with 10 rebounds, her fourth double-double of the season, while freshman Blaire Underwood added 14 points in the  loss.

Sophomore Katy Meyer pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds as the SLIAC’s best rebounding team did nothing to tarnish its standing, pounded the Griffins on the glass , 51-33.

Webster (10-11 overall, 5-7 SLIAC) will host Blackburn Saturday in a must-win game for the Gorloks.

NOTES
•    It was the 16th time this season, Webster trailed at halftime – and they are 6-10 in those games.
•    Webster is now 5-3 in games decided by five points or less, and 2-1 in overtime.
•    Katy Meyer tied a season-high with 12 rebounds, set against MacMurray on December 6.
•    The 40 free throw attempts were the highest for Webster this season, surpassing the 37 it attempted in a season-opening loss to UW-Platteville. It’s the team’s second straight loss when attempting more than 30 free throws. On the season, they are 2-3 when they march to the free throw line more 30 times.

QUOTES
Head Coach Jordan Olufson
Initial comments
    “The effort was there. We left it all on the court. There was some things that we couldn’t change that didn’t go our way.

On free throws
    “We have to be more consistent. You can’t make 16-of-17 (in the first half), then only make half in the second half. It’s a matter of focus and handling the pressure.”

Thoughts on the SLIAC Tournament
    “Winning this game would have taken the some of the pressure off. Now we need to win four and get some help. We win four straight, get to 9-7, we still control our destiny.”

On Julie McGirl
    “Julie is a workhorse. Her hard work pays off in games. She always steps up in big games when we need her. I am proud to be her coach.”

On Ayrica Lockett, who practice sparingly due to an injury suffered Saturday
    “She left it out there on the floor. She got re-injured, left the game and came back to give us a big basket. It was just guts out there today.”