The Webster University women's basketball team fell behind early and was unable to mount a comeback in a 73-60 loss to Westminster College, on February 13 in Fulton, MO. The first place Blue Jays were too much for the Gorloks, who are in a battle to land a berth in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason tournament.
Down by 20 points entering the fourth period, Webster went on a 15-6 run in the first five minutes to close to 60-49. But Westminster responded with two straight driving layups to damper Webster comeback hopes. The Gorloks would inch within nine, 69-60, at 1:24, but the Blue Jays closed it out for the win.
Webster fell into a 22-9 hole in the first period and trailed at the half, 39-23. The Gorloks were down, 54-24, at the end of third before their abbreviated comeback to start the fourth. Webster had a cool shooting hand in the first half, hitting only 22% (6-27) of its shots while Westminster fired at a 54% (14-26) clip as it built its lead. The Gorloks faired much better from the field in the second half with one of its better efforts on the season (16-29, 55%), but it wasn't enough.
The Gorloks had four players land in double figures on the afternoon with Brittany Harris-Conway (SR, St. James, MO/John F. Hodge HS) leading the way with 12 points. Nadine Vaughn (JR, Pana, IL/Pana HS) had 11 points and team-highs with seven rebounds and three steals. Kelsey Miller (SO, Elizabeth, IN/South Central HS) and Taylor Lucas (SO, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan HS) each had 10 points in the game.
Webster entered the game tied for fourth in the SLIAC with Spalding University at 9-6. The Golden Eagles were upset at MacMurray College and remained deadlocked with the Gorloks at 9-7. Webster's game vs. Spalding next week looms as large one in determining its finish in the SLIAC. The Gorloks saw a three-game win streak fall by the boards as they are 12-11 overall. Westminster is now 14-2 in the SLIAC and 18-4 overall.
Webster will be home on February 17 to host Spalding, and on February 20 vs. Iowa Wesleyan University at Grant Gymnasium. Those two games will conclude the Gorloks' regular season play.
