The Webster University women's basketball made it 2-0 on its California trip with a 72-61 win over Pomona-Pitzer, on December 29 in Claremont, CA. After a close first period, the Gorloks pulled away for the victory as their non-conference record improved to 6-1 on the season. Ebony Bailey had a career-high 23 points for Webster in the contest.
The Gorloks and Sagehens had a competitive first period, as Webster led 16-13 after one. But the Gorloks exploded in the second period with its signature pressure defense, as well as domination on the boards, helping them pull away. A Kelsey Miler (SR, Elizabeth, IN/South Central) three-pointer started an 11-2 run as Webster extended its lead to 27-15 just over three minutes into the period. Webster finished the half with a 39-25 lead.
The Gorloks out-rebounded the Sagehens, 26-14 and had a 22-10 edge in points in the paint. The Gorloks forced 13 turnovers and had nine steals in the half. Jaysea Morgan (SO, Fisk, MO/Twin Rivers) came off the bench to score 10 points on 4-5 shooting. Bailey (SR, Dolton, IL/Seton Academy) had eight points as she was a perfect 4-4 from the field. Aley Lucas (SR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) had a team-high eight rebounds. Natalie Busscher (JR, Mundelein, IL/Mundelein) contributed to Webster's domination on the boards with six rebounds off the bench.
Webster kept the pressure on in the third period, increasing its lead to 57-39. The Gorloks forced seven more turnovers as their edge in points off those turnovers ballooned to 24-8. Bailey was 4-6 in the period as her point total jumped to a season-high 16 points. Morgan only took one shot, but made it count with a three-pointer.
The Sagehens made a slight run in the fourth period, inching within 11 of the Gorloks, 60-49, with 5:00 remaining but Webster held on for the 72-61 final. Webster had a 42-35 edge in rebounds, forced 23 turnovers and had 16 steals for the game.
Bailey wound up 10-13 from the field as she scored her 23 points, and had a team-high six steals as well. Aley Lucas had a double double, hitting 10 points and rebounds exactly. Morgan finished with 13 points on 5-6 shooting.
Pomona-Pitzer, a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, is made up of student athletes from Pomona and Pitzer Colleges. These two schools are part of a consortium of seven colleges in Claremont, CA.
Webster is 7-3 overall with the win. The Gorloks end their trip on New Year's Eve, December 31, with a game vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. They resume play in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on January 3 as they host Iowa Wesleyan University at Grant Gym.
