The Webster University women's basketball team ran away from an opponent for a second straight night, defeating Domincan University (IL), 79-47 at the Cavallo Tip-Off on November 19 at Grant Gymnasium. The Gorlok pressure cooker defense had 26 steals and forced a staggering 49 Stars turnovers, while Natalie Busscher led the offense with 20 points.
Webster sprinted to a 20-5 lead just five minutes into the contest, on its way to a 29-9 first period lead. Busscher (SO, Mundelein, IL/Mundelein), who would be named the Tournament MVP, had 11 points to pace the Gorloks. Webster had nine steals and forced 15 turnovers in the first period alone. Things didn't get any better for the Stars in the second period as Webster increased its lead to 47-18 at the half and had forced 29 turnovers while building up 18 steals. Busscer had 14 points and Jaysea Morgan (FR, Fisk, MO/Twin Rivers) came off the bench for nine points.
The Gorloks let up on the peddle a little in the third as they led, 62-29, after the period. Webster cleared the bench in the fourth period as all 17 players on the roster saw the court and the Gorloks coasted to the 79-47 win. The 32-point victory was the largest since a 33 point win vs. Blackburn College in 2015. The Gorloks wound up with 26 steals, tying for the third most in a single game for Webster. The last time the Gorloks had 26 steals was in last year's Cavallo Tip-Off vs.the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Webster's 2-0 finish in the Tip-Off was its first since the 2013-14 season. In addition to Busscher being named the MVP, Morgan was named to the All-Tournament Team as well.
Busscher had 20 points, three rebounds, and three steals. Morgan wound up with 11 points, four steals, and three rebounds. Aley Lucas (JR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) had nine points, four rebounds, and three steals. Twelve players got in the scoring column for Webster.
The All-Tournament Team included: Busscher (MVP), Morgan, Maya Hardin and Dee Dee Sliter (Spalding University), Timiya Ray (Dominican), and Demetrius Bradshaw (Rust College).
The Gorloks are 2-0 overall and will travel to West Frankfort, IL, to play Morthland College on November 22. Webster will be back home on November 26 to host Augustana College (IL).
