Finishing 2-0 at the Cruzin' Classic in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the Webster University defeated Ave Maria University (FL), 60-47, on December 20.  The Gorloks rallied after a cold-shooting first half to overpower the Gyrenes in the second.  Hunter Ward once again led Webster, leading the team in both points and rebounds on the afternoon.

Webster was down, 27-26, at the half after shooting 11-28 (39%), matching Ave Maria shot for shot with the difference being one more three-pointer for the Gyrenes.  But in the second half the Gorloks outscored the Gyrenes, 34-20, shooting 52% (11-21) while holding Ave Maria to a woeful 17% (5-29).  Webster had an uncustomary 19 turnovers in the contest but were still able to win going away.

Ward (JR, Kirkwood, MO/Kirkwood HS) had a game-high 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Gorloks.  Ward leads Webster in scoring and rebounding on the season.  Davian Joseph (JR, Philadelphia, PA/Lewis & Clark CC) had 10 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Evan Milligan (Evansville, IN/Evansville Central HS) had 10 points coming off the bench.

Ave Maria, located in Ave Maria, FL, is an NAIA school and a member of the Sun Conference.  Ave Maria's unusual mascot's (a bulldog) name, something Webster knows a little about, comes from a nickname for Marines...derived from the term G.I.

Webster improves to 5-4 with the victory.  The next game for the Gorloks will be in 2016, when they travel to Carlinville, IL, on January 2 to play SLIAC rival Blackburn College.  Webster starts a four-game home stretch on January 4 when Eureka College visits Grant Gymnasium.