The Webster University women's basketball team lost in second round action in the Cavallo Tip-Off, falling to Aurora University, 56-46.  The Gorloks fell behind early and despite a late surge, couldn't overcome the Spartans.

Unlike the previous evening's action, the Gorloks found themselves in a 16-4 hole at the end of the first period.  Webster shot just 20% (2-10) while Aurora was 7-16 (44%) from the field.  Webster was also outrebounded by Aurora, 12-5, including a 5-0 edge in offensive rebounds for the Spartans.

The Gorloks started the second period with a 6-0 run but a Spartan 3-pointer and a trio of buckets put them firmly back in control, 25-10.  Webster would wind up down 27-16 at the half.  Nadine Vaughn (JR, Pana, IL/Pana HS), a transfer from Parkland CC (IL) led the Gorloks with six points and four rebounds, coming off the bench for Webster.

Webster cut the deficit to 29-22, with 4:30 left in the third period, but an Aurora three-pointer extended the lead back to 10, 32-22.  The Gorloks would battle back to 34-28, but another Spartan three-pointer gave them a 37-28 lead before a Webster basket would end the period at 37-30. 

A Chelsea Holman (JR, Dechard, TN/Franklin County HS) three-pointer put Webster within six, at 43-37, with 3:50 left in the contest.  Megan Brandt (FR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan HS) made a basket and free throw for the Gorloks to cut it to a four-point deficit. 44-40.  The teams would trade baskets, with the Spartans still holding a 46-42 lead with 2:20 remaining.  Aurora would hit its free throws in the final minutes to hang on for the 56-46 win.

Kennedy Hartman (JR, Sidney, IL/Unity HS), a transfer from Parkland CC (IL) would lead Webster with nine points for the game.  The Gorloks never got untracked from the field, winding up a 12-45 (27%) for the game and lost the battle of the boards, 44-26, as the Spartans dominated.

The Gorloks suffered a blow when senior Ashley Brooks (Hermann, MO.Hermann HS) went down with an injury just two minutes into the third period.  Brooks was the team's second-leading scorer in 2014-15 and led the team in assists and steals.

Webster starts the season 1-1.   Aurora, a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference improved to 1-2, after losing to Spalding in opening round of Tip-Off.  The Gorloks travel to Rock Island, IL, on November 28, to take on Augustana College.