The Webster University women's basketball team rallied in the second half for a 61-54 win over Spalding University, on February 8 in Louisville, KY. The road win was a big one as it moved the Gorloks into a third place tie in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference. The top four teams advance to the conference post-season tournament.
The Gorloks outscored the Golden Eagles, 42-26 in the second half to snatch away the victory. Spalding had given Webster a taste of its own medicine in building a 28-19 halftime lead, But the Gorloks quickly erased the deficit in the third period before taking the lead for good late in the fourth period. Numerous Spalding turnovers, along with Webster hitting its free throws in the game's final minutes, secured the win.
Webster's successful season to date has been in large part because of the Gorloks' suffocating defense, which is one of the leaders nationally in forced turnovers and steals. The Golden Eagles turned the tails on the Gorloks in the first half, putting up a defensive front that put Webster in a 28-19 hole at the break.
Webster was held to 21.1% (7-33) shooting for the half, including a woeful 0-10 from the three-point line. Spalding had eight steals to the Gorloks' four and while Webster did force 10 Spalding turnovers, the Gorloks had nine miscues of their own. The Golden Eagles owned a 7-5 edge in points off of turnovers
The Gorloks made the deficit disappear with a 9-0 run to open the third period. An Ebony Bailey (JR, Dol, IL/Seton Academy) jumper at 6:06, gave Webster a 32-31 lead. Spalding would finish the period with a 41-40 lead. Spalding took a six-point lead in the fourth, but a Jade Sawyer (FR, Republic, MO/Springfield Republic) three-pointer cut the deficit to three with 5:20 remaining. Lay ups by Jaysea Morgan (FR, Fisk, MO/Twin Rivers) and Sawyer gave Webster a one-point lead with 4:18 on the clock.
Spalding regained the lead but a lay up by Aley Lucas (JR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) and a Taylor Lucas (JR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) jumper increased the Webster lead to three. Taylor Lucas hit a pair of free throws with 27 seconds left for a five-point lead. Kelsey Miller (JR, Elizabeth, IN/South Central) would hit four straight free throws to ice the game as a Spalding three at the buzzer made it a 61-54 final.
The Gorloks rebounded with a 46.7% (14-30) shooting performance in the second half. They would wind up the game 16-22 (72.7%) from the free throw line.
Taylor Lucas had a team high 14 points and eight rebounds, Aley Lucas had nine points and a team high 14 rebounds. Brandt had 10 points and three steals, and Morgan had nine points off the bench.
The Gorloks continue to be one of the national leaders in the NCAA III in several statistical categories. Webster is second in turnovers forced (32.38) and second in steals per game (17.8). The Gorloks also are third in assists per game (18.5) and 11th in scoring offense (78.0) per game.
Webster lost an overtime decision to Spalding on January 7 at Grant. A loss in Louisville would have dropped the Gorloks into a tie for fifth in the SLIAC with the Golden Eagles at 7-6, but Webster prevailed. The Gorloks are 8-5 and tied for third and 16-6 overall. Webster is one win away from 17, which would tie for its third highest total in a single season.
The Gorloks are back at home on February 11 as they host Blackburn College.
