The Webster University men's basketball team clinched a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference post-season tournament berth with a 68-41 win over MacMurray College, on February 15 at Grant Gymnasium. The Gorloks are currently tied with Principia College at 10-7 for fourth place, with the top four teams earning spots in the tournament.
Iowa Wesleyan University, in third place at 11-5, is not eligible yet for post-season play, leaving Webster and Principia tied for fourth. Blackburn College is in fifth at 9-8. With one game remaining in conference regular season play, if Webster would wind up tied with Blackburn at 10-8, the Gorloks hold the head to head tie-breaker with the Beavers.
Against MacMurray, the Gorloks were down, 5-3, four minutes into the first half before an Adam Etter (SR, Albers, IL/Mater Dei) three-pointer put them on top, 6-5. Ten minutes later, an Evan Milligan (SO, Evansville, IN/Evansville Central) three-pointer capped a 26-10 run by Webster for a 32-15 lead. The Gorloks entered the break up, 40-19.
Milligan had a game in a half, scoring 21 points on 9-11 shooting from the field, and pulling down four rebounds. Webster as a team shot 50% (17-34). The Gorloks forced 14 turnovers and had a 19-2 edge over MacMurray in points off turnovers.
Webster maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half, taking its largest lead of 24, 57-33, at 8:43 on a Tony Jones (SR, Raymore, MO/Raymore-Peculiar) basket. Webster scored the final six points of the contest for the 27 point margin.
Milligan finished with 21 points, being shut out in the second half. Jones came off the bench for 11 points and had five rebounds and three blocked shots. Tehvynn Crenshaw (SR, Mobile, AL/Murphy) had a team-high seven rebounds. The Gorloks had two players see their first collegiate action in the contest. Blake Ferrell (FR, Ballwin, MO/Parkway South) and La'Relle Brown (SR, Woodridge, IL/Downer's Grove) played their first games for Webster in the win.
Webster continues to be one of the more sporting teams nationally in the NCAA III, ranking first in the fewest fouls per game at 12.9. The Gorloks are also seventh in blocked shots per game (5.4) and 11th in assists per game (17.8).
Webster is now 13-11 overall on the season. Webster concludes regular season play, hosting Fontbonne University on Senior Day, February 18. Nine seniors will suit up at home for their final game at Grant Gym.
