The Webster University men's basketball team continued to right its course in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with its third straight win, this one an 84-67 triumph at Eureka College (IL). The Gorloks were locked in a four-way tie for fourth in the SLIAC entering the day with Eureka, Fontbonne University, and Greenville College.
That number has decreased to three with Webster's win over Eureka and a Fontbonne loss at Spalding, leaving Webster tied with Greenville and now Westminster College (a loser at Iowa Wesleyan University) at 7-5 in the SLIAC.
Webster jumped out to an 8-0 lead, but Eureka scored seven straight to pull within one at 8-7. The Gorloks would go on a 13-4 run to take a 22-11 lead at the 8:15 mark in the first half. Once again the Red Devils responded, this time with a 13-0 run, in just over two minutes, to take a 24-22 lead at 6:05. Webster would settle down and regain the lead to enter halftime up, 34-29.
Hunter Ward (JR, Kirkwood, MO/Kirkwood HS) had 11 points at the half and Evan Milligan (FR, Evansville, IN/Evansville Central HS) had six rebounds and two blocks. Tevin Evans (SR, St. Louis, MO/Chaminade HS) came off the bench to score five points and grabbed three rebounds. Webster shot 44% (14-32) for the half and had just five turnovers.
The Red Devils would close to within four of the Gorloks, at 44-40, with 15:58 remaining. But Webster gradually increased its lead to double digits, which it held for the duration of the second half to secure the win. The Gorloks wound up shooting 46% (28-61) for the game and held Eureka to only 33% (25-75) from the floor. The Red Devils launched 39 three-point attempts, but connected on only 10. Webster got to the free throw line 27 times and made them count by sinking 24 of them (89%).
Ward wound up with a double double and team-highs with 24 points and 10 rebounds. He was a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line. Evans had 11 points and six rebounds, and C.J. Moore (JR, Homestead, FL/Miami Killian HS) had 12 points in the game. Milligan finished with six points and seven rebounds and Adam Etter (JR, Albers, IL/Mater Dei HS) had seven points and a team-high six assists.
Webster is 7-5 in the SLIAC and 10-9 overall with its win in what was the SLIAC Game of the Week. The Gorloks had defeated Eureka on January 4 at Grant, 86-72. Eureka is 6-6 in the SLIAC and 8-11 overall.
Webster is back home on February 3 as it hosts Blackburn College at Grant. The Gorloks continue the 'Battle of Big Bend' on February 6 as they travel down the avenue to Fontbonne University.