The Webster University women's basketball team started off the 2016-17 season with a convincing, 85-70, win over Rust College at the Cavallo Tip-Off, on November 18 at Grant Gymnasium.  The Gorloks raced to a 26-10 first period lead, as the Bearcats couldn't handle Webster's suffocating defense, and coasted to the win.

Webster forced Rust into 13 first period turnovers and 25 total in the first half as the Gorloks took a 46-21 lead.  The Gorloks picked up 12 steals and handed out 15 assists in the half alone.  The 15 assists total was one that Webster didn't reach in 13 full games in the 2015-16 season.  Kelsey Miller (JR, Elizabeth, IN/South Central) had a team-high 10 points in the half, and freshman Jaysea Morgan (Fisk, MO/Twin Rivers) had eight points in her first collegiate half.

The Gorloks kept the pedal to the medal as they led, 68-43, after three periods, and 85-70 was the final.  Another freshman, Jade Sawyer (Republic, MO/Springfield Republic), was Webster's leading scorer with 14 points as she canned four three-pointers.  Morgan finished with 13 points, on 6-11 shooting, and Miller, Natalie Busscher (SO, Mundelein, IL/Mundelein), and newcomer Ebony Bailey (JR, Dolton, IL/Seton Academy), all finished in double figures as well with 10.

The Gorloks had 26 assists in the game, the eighth highest total in a single game for the program's history and the most in a game since 2005 in a game vs. Westminster.  Webster had 25 assists in a game vs. Blackburn in 2015.  Webster shot 50% (34-68) on the night, and despite being outrebounded, 43-28, finished with 15 steals and forced 33 turnovers in the contest. 

The Gorloks had an exhibition loss at NCAA II Missouri S & T, 68-66, on November 3.  Webster was picked fifth in the SLIAC 2016 women's basketball coaches pre-season poll.

Webster is 1-0 and will continue play in the Tip-Off on November 19 with a game vs. Dominican University (IL).  Spalding University (KY) defeated Dominican, 56-40, in the evening's other game..