SLIAC Game of the Week
Men's Basketball vs Spalding on February 15 SLIAC GOW

Men's Basketball Niel DeVasto Sports Information Director

Men's Showdown at Spalding SLIAC GOW

The Webster University men's basketball team travels to Spalding University on February 15, for a contest that has major implications on who wins the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.  The Gorloks come into the contest tied for second at 12-2 with MacMurray College, and Spalding holding onto first at 13-1.  Webster gave Spalding its only loss, in a 58-57 cliffhanger on January 23 at Grant.  For this reason, the game has been selected as the SLIAC Game of the Week.

The following is a compilation of SLIAC and Webster sports information.

The SLIAC Game of the Week is a weekly feature that highlights a key match-up in the conference this week. This week's SLIAC Game of the Week is the Webster University and Spalding University men's basketball game on Saturday, February 15th in Louisville, Ky.

At a Glance
This Saturday's game is another late key late season match-up to determine control of the 2014 SLIAC Tournament. Spalding is currently atop the SLIAC standings while Webster is tied for second. Webster is just one game behind Spalding with Webster already having handed Spalding their only conference loss this season.

About Webster
Webster is 15-6 overall record and has a 12-2 record in the SLIAC. They have won five straight games and are coming off an 86-77 win over Greenville College on Wednesday. Webster is averaging 74 points per game this season, third best in the conference, and shooting 48.7 percent from the floor. The Gorloks tend to pound the ball inside, attempting the fewest three-pointers in the league this season and average a league best 23.4 free-throw attempts per game.

Ahmad Smith is the leading scorer, at 16.7 points per game. Smith is shooting 48.3 percent from the floor and has a team high 29 three-pointers this season. Kevin Miller is the big man in the middle, averaging 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, shooting 52% from the floor. Hollis Edwards is a dynamic two-way player, averaging 6.6 points, 3.4 assists and a SLIAC high 2.9 steals per game.  Edwards broke the Webster career steal record this week with his 171st and is 10th in the NCAA III in steals per game at 2.84.

About Spalding
Spalding enters the game with a 15-6 overall record and a 13-1 record in the SLIAC. The Golden Eagles have won five straight games and are coming off a 68-45 win over Blackburn on Monday. Spalding is averaging 71.5 points per game this season, fifth in the SLIAC. The Golden Eagles are the league's best three-point shooters, knocking down 39.1 percent

Spalding uses a balanced attack with three players averaging double figures. William Barber is the team's leading scorer at 13.4 points per game and a deadly outside shooter, hitting 45.8 percent of his three's. Brandon Goeing is averages 11.2 ppg and has a SLIAC high 52 three-pointers this season.  Team mate Thomas Blakemore is averaging 11.1 ppg.

Game Notes

  • Webster leads the all-time series against Spalding 6-4, including a 58-57 win earlier this season.
  • Webster's win over Spalding earlier this year snapped a four-game Spalding win streak in the series.
  • Spalding is a perfect 7-0 at home this season. Their last loss at home was Nov. 23, 2012 against Asbury. 
  • Webster's Hollis Edwards leads the league in both steals and assists.
  • After dropping their first five games of the season Spalding has won 15 of its last 16 games.
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