The 'Battle of Big Bend' heats up again on February 11, as the Webster University men's and women's basketball teams play at Fontbonne University. This double header has more at stake for both teams than any meeting In recent years. The 'battle' will extend beyond the basketball teams, as the Webster Gorlok and the Fontbonne Griffin will even square off during the evening.
The Webster and Fontbonne men's teams are currently tied for the third place in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 8-5 league records. The top four finishers in the regular season qualify for the SLIAC Tournament, which determines which conference team will advance to the NCAA III Championships. Lurking right behind the Gorloks and Griffins are Greenville and Eureka Colleges, each with an 8-6 record in the SLIAC. The Webster men defeated Fontbonne, 65-54, on January 17 at Grant Gymnasium.
For the Webster women, who are 5-8 in the SLIAC and in sixth place, a win over Fontbonne would keep them on pace with Greenville College, who is in fifth at 6-8. The fifth place spot looms important in the SLIAC on the women's side. Iowa Wesleyan College, in second place, is not yet eligible for post-season play in the SLIAC. Its elimination from consideration for the SLIAC Tournament gives the fifth place finisher the fourth and final spot. The Griffins, who enter into the game at 4-9 in the SLIAC, could tie the Gorloks and pull within a game of fifth place with a win. The Webster women nipped Fontbonne, 52-47, on January 17 at home.
Host Fontbonne has planned some other activities for the evening. A relay race, that will feature the Gorlok and Griffin, will be run at halftime of the men's game. A 'knockout' shooting contest will be held at halftime of the women's contest as well.
Fontbonne University is located 4.4 miles north on Big Bend from Webster. The women's game will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the men's game at 8:00 p.m. Admission to the games is free. If you can not root the Gorloks on in person, the games will be video streamed
HERE.
