The Gorloks had a season-opening upset in their grasp, but just missed as the Webster men's basketball team lost to Washington University, 60-59, on November 15 at Grant Gymnasium. Webster could have clinched the win with a couple free throws with just eight-tenths of a second remaining in the game, but both fell short as Wash U prevailed.
The Bears, ranked #20 pre-season nationally in the NCAA III, led in the early going, 14-9, but Webster would tie it at 16-16. Wash U went on a 6-0 run to take a 22-16 lead and pulled ahead by nine at 28-19. The Gorloks would cut the lead to 28-25 before the teams entered the locker room at half with Wash U up, 30-25.
Webster fell behind, 35-27, as the second half opened, but would cut the deficit to 35-33 with a 6-0 run, finished off by an Evan Milligan (SO, Evansville, IN/Evansville Central) layup. Wash U responded with another 6-0 run to go up 41-33. A three-pointer by Xavier Dortch (SR, Stockton, AL/Faulkner St.) at 8:22 pulled Webster within two, at 49-47. A jumper by Milligan at 7:20 gave Webster its first tie in the contest since the opening minutes, 49-49. It was apparent the Gorloks weren't going away without a fight.
Wash U hit a three-pointer to take a 56-53 lead at 4:45 and led, 60-55, with 2:00 on the clock, prompting a Webster timout. A layup by C.J. Moore (SR, Homestead, FL/Miami Killian) at 1:40 cut it to 60-57. A Hunter Ward (SR, St. Louis, MO/Kirkwood) layup hunter at 0:50 made it a one-point game, 60-59. The Bears missed on their possession and the Gorloks had the ball with 23 seconds and the clock winding down.
Ward let the clock run down to seven seconds then made a move for the basket, but dished off to Webster freshman Enrique Tankins (Wentzville, MO/Timberland), who was fouled on a drive to the hoop at 0:08. Tankins, in his first collegiate game, had already scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds, dished off four assists, and canned two free throws. Wash U called timeout before the first shot was off the mark. Wash U called another timeout and the second free throw rattled off the rim and the Bears escaped.
In addition to Tankins' solid debut, Milligan, Moore, and Ward all had good nights in the Gorloks' near-miss. Milligan finished with team-highs with 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Moore had 13 points and a team-high four steals. Ward had 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Despite being outrebounded, 47-29, the Gorloks had only seven turnovers and had a 10-2 edge in steals for the contest. Webster also outshot Wash U for the game, including a 54%-41% advantage in the second half. A raucous opening night crowd, including the Chick Fil A cow in attendance, enjoyed the evening's action despite the outcome.
Webster, who finished 13-12 in 2015-16 and was picked third in the SLIAC coaches 2016-17 pre-season poll, starts the year 0-1.
The Gorloks head to the Illinois Wesleyan Tip-Off this weekend in Bloomington, IL. Webster takes on host Wesleyan on November 18 and faces either Aurora University (IL) or Loras College (IA) in the championship or consolation final on November 19.
