The Webster University women's basketball team improved to 5-2 in SLIAC play with a 96-69 win over Blackburn College, on January 13 at Grant Gymnasium.  The Gorloks got off to a great start of a four-game home stand while increasing their winning streak to four.

The Gorloks had to battle the Beavers early on as Blackburn led most of the way in the first period until a basket by Jaysea Morgan (SO, Fisk, MO/Twin Rivers) gave Webster an 18-17 lead at 2:19.  Taylor Lucas (SR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) and Kelsey Miller (SR, Elizabeth, IN/South Central) followed with baskets as Webster finished the period on a 9-0 run for a 25-17 lead.

An 8-2 run to open the second period pulled the Gorloks comfortably in front at 33-19.  Blackburn would never get closer than 11 in the period as a rebound and layup at the buzzer by Megan Brandt (SR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) gave Webster a 46-30 halftime lead.  The Gorloks had 14 steals in the half off 23 Beaver turnovers. 

A pair of Taylor Lucas jumpers, sandwiched around a three-pointer by Aley Lucas (SR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan), had Webster off and running in the third period.  A steal and basket by Ebony Bailey (SR, Dolton, IL/Seton Academy) made it a 9-0 run and a 55-30 lead a minute and a half into the period.  The Gorloks forced another five turnovers during the run.  A basket by Darieana Hunter (FR, Norman, OK/Norman) gave Webster its biggest lead of the game at 2:16, 69-39, as it finished the period up, 72-46.  Webster had increased its number of steals to 18 and forced turnovers to 32.

An 8-0 run in the fourth period, starting with a three-pointer by Aley Lucas, and ending with a pair of jumpers by Hunter, extended the Gorlok lead to 37, at 87-50 with 6:06 left in the game.  The only question left was whether the Gorloks would top the 100 point mark, coming up just short in the 96-69 final.

The Gorloks were able to utilize all 16 players available, with 12 getting into the scoring column.  Webster finished with its second highest number of steals on the season, with 24, and second highest point total at 96.  The Gorloks forced 37 turnovers for the game.  Webster increased its scoring average on the season to 76.3 points per game, courtesy of the 96 point output.

Bailey had a team-high 15 points, on 7-12 shooting, four assists, and three steals.  Hunter had 14 points, on 7-10 shooting, and Aley and Taylor Lucas each hit double figures in scoring with 11 each. 

Webster is 5-2 in SLIAC, 11-4 overall and started the day in third place in the SLIAC.  Webster has an 11-game win streak vs. Blackburn, though the Beavers hold a 31- 28 all-time series edge between the two.

The Gorloks will host Greenville College on January 17 at Grant.  The Panthers are in first in the SLIAC, entering the day with a 6-0 record.