The Webster University men's basketball team lost its home opener, losing to Loras College (IA), 67-61, on November 21 at Grant Gymnasium.  The Gorloks had a lead as large as 12 points in the first half, but the DuHawks grabbed a second half lead it would not relinquish.

Webster sprinted to an 18-5 lead seven minutes into the first half.  The DuHawks had trouble keeping up with the Gorloks' transition game as the team took advantage of the new 30-second shot clock instituted in 2015-16 by the NCAA for men's basketball.  Loras would claw its was back, though, and with a three-pointer with the clock running out for the half, cut Webster's lead to 34-28 at the break.

Loras came out running themselves to start the second half and grabbed a 41-36 lead.  Webster still trailed by eight, 52-44, with seven minutes left in the contest, with Loras having an answer for every basket the Gorloks could muster.  Webster showed some signs of life in the game's final minutes, but never could close the gap as it fell to 0-2 on the young season.

The Gorloks shot 50% (16-32) for the first half and matched the DuHawks board for board, with 16 rebounds to Loras' 17.  Webster only turned the ball over four times in the half.  In the second half, the Gorloks shooting fell off the table as they were 8-35 (23%), including 1-13 from beyond the arc.  Webster wound up 3-19 from the three-point line for the game.

Xavier Dortch (JR, Stockton, AL/Faulkner State CC) had a team-high 12 points, with six of his points coming from the free-throw line (6-6).  Fellow newcomer, transfer Davian Joseph (Philadelphia, PA/Lewis & Clark CC), had a team-high 10 rebounds with six of them coming on the offensive boards. 

Loras College, a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference located in Dubuque, IA, improved to 2-1.

Webster, the pre-season pick to finish first in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coaches' poll, dropped their season opener at Central College (IA), and find themselves 0-2 vs. Iowa opponents.  A third, Luther College, is scheduled to face Webster in the opening round of the Cavallo Classic on November 27 at Grant Gym.  The Gorloks will face Rust College (MS) in second round action on November 28.