Box Score Establishing a reputation as the "road warriors" of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Webster University women's basketball team defeated first place Westminster College, 69-65, in Fulton, MO, on January 15.  Maggie Zehner (SR, Oakville HS, MO), who has averaged just under 20 points over the last five games, once again led the Gorloks in victory with 21 points.

With wins at SLIAC contenders Eureka College (IL) and Spalding University (KY), and a near-loss in OT at Greenville College, the Gorloks have crafted a 3-1 record on the road in the SLIAC.  Webster inflicted a rare home loss in the SLIAC to Westminster, who came into the contest 5-0 this year and 35-2 over the past two plus seasons in the conference.

After falling behind early, 8-2, Webster clawed back to take a 36-26 lead with 1:47 remaining in the first half.  Westminster finished the half with a 6-0 run to make it, 36-32, Webster at the break.   Webster was 4-6 from the three-point line in the first, including 3-4 by Zehner, who finished the half with 14 points.  Westminster hiked up 14 three-pointers in the half, but only hit on two.

The Gorloks came out of the locker room on a 5-0 run to take a nine-point lead, but the Blue Jays pecked away, taking a lead of their own, 53-47, at the 12 minute mark.  A Kaliann Rikard (JR, Cuba HS, MO) three-pointer and layup made it 54-53 Webster, and the teams exchanged leads several times, winding up tied 61-61 with 3:31 remaining.  The score stayed that way until another Rikard three-pointer with 1:31 left in the game gave the Gorloks the lead for good.  Rikard had 13 second half points on 4-5 shooting from the field, including 2-2 from the three-point line.

As a team, Webster shot 9-17 (.529) from the three-point line for the game, as Westminster wound up 5-21 beyond the arc.  The Gorloks shot .490 from the field (25-51) their second best effort on the season.

Zehner finished with 21 points, six assists, and five rebounds.  Rikard had 18 points, a game-high and career-high 10 rebounds, and four assists.  Courtney Pursley (JR, St. Clair HS, MO) had 13 points and six rebounds in the win.

Webster improves to 4-2 in the SLIAC and 7-8 overall.  The Gorloks are back home on January 17 as they renew their 'Battle of Big Bend' with Fontbonne University at Grant Gym.  The team hits the road again, travelling to Elsah, IL, to face Principia College on January 19.