The Webster University men's basketball team darted by Greenville College, 121-115, on January 21 in Greenville, IL. Since Greenville adopted an up tempo style of play last season, in the four games the two teams have played Webster has averaged 124 points, wholly embracing the style as it has won all four contests. Evan Milligan led the way with 29 points, and Tony Jones had an impressive double double for the game.
Webster rolled up the 121 points without converting a three-point basket. As a matter of fact, the Gorloks only attempted two three-pointers in the contest as the Panthers hiked up 50 attempts. Webster shot an impressive 60.7% (51-84), with the 51 baskets the second most in a single game, exceeded only by 56 they drained in a game vs. Greenville last season. The 81 shots tied for the fourth highest total in a single game.
The Gorloks' 35 assists in the contest were the second highest total in a single game, exceeded only by the 39 they had in their 133-120 win over the Panthers earlier this season.
The Gorloks sprinted to a 69-56 halftime lead. Webster was 32-50 (64%) in the first
half, as four players had double figures in points, led by Milligan's (SO. Evansville, IN/Evansville Central) 19 points on 9-10 shooting. Webster only attempted one three-pointer as Greenville hiked up 25, hitting eight. The Gorloks had 22 assists for the half.
In the second half, Greenville closed to within seven, 79-72, at 14:29, and edged within three of Webster, 90-87, at 9:45. But the Gorloks pulled away over the next two minutes, opening up a 100-90 lead and crossing the century mark at 7:17. Webster maintained a double digit lead most of the way out, but Greenville crawled to within four, 119-115, with 00:09 remaining, but the Gorloks held on for the win.
Milligan's 29 points came on 13-14 shooting (92.9%), the second highest shooting percentage in a single game (eight attempts or more) for Webster. Milligan just missed a double double, finishing with nine rebounds. C.J. Moore (SR, Homestead, FL/Miami Killian) had 22 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Xavier Dortch (SR, Stockton, AL/Faulkner St) had 18 points and dished out six assists and Rabasa Dobbins-Turner (SR, Memphis, TN/St. Benedict at Auburndale) had 18 points as well.
Tony Jones (SR, Raymore, MO/Raymore-Peculiar) was the third Gorlok to join the 18-point parade...but Jones added 18 rebounds, the third highest total in a single game for Webster, in the contest as well for a double double. Jonathan Odjo (SR, West Palm Beach, FL/Suncoast) had a team-high eight assists.
The victory concludes a four-game road stretch that saw the Gorloks win three of four away SLIAC contests. Webster slides into fourth place in the SLIAC at 6-4 and is 9-8 overall. Greenville drops to 6-3, good enough for third in the SLIAC, with two of those losses coming to Webster. The Panthers fall to 12-4 overall.
Webster returns to its home court when it hosts Principia College (IL) on January 24 at Grant Gym.
