The Webster University men's basketball team suffered a 78-61 loss to Westminster College, on January 20 at Grant Gymnasium.  The Gorloks had a shooting and rebounding edge in the contest, but as in its previous game...a loss to Greenville University, turnovers were their undoing in the loss.

The first half of the contest was a defensive battle, with back and forth action.  There were four ties and five lead changes when Davian Joseph (SR, Philadelphia, PA/Lewis & Clark CC) hit a three-pointer to give Webster a 20-19 lead at 4:45.  Westminster regained the lead with a three-pointer of their own, but a basket by Michael Dunn (SR, Tallahassee, FL/Lawton Chiles) at 2:04 tied it up at 24-24.

A pair of baskets by Nigel Wilcox (FR, Alpharetta, GA/Centennial) put Webster on top at 28-26.  A free throw by Wilcox with time expired in the half sent the Gorloks into the locker room with a 29-26 lead.  Webster shot 52.2% from the field compared to a cool 34.4% for the half for Westminster.  Webster had a 19-13 edge on the boards but committed 12 turnovers to Westminster's five.  Wilcox, coming off remarkable 33 point, 22 rebound, three block, and five dunk effort in a loss to Greenville University, had five points and seven rebounds, plus three assists.

A three-pointer by Josh Johnson (SO, St. Louis, MO/Clayton) gave Webster a 34-29 lead a minute and a half into the second half, but Westminster went on a 17-2 run over the next six minutes to pull out in front, 46-36, at 12:20.  Westminster maintained a 10 point lead for several minutes before a steal and dunk by Joseph cut the deficit to eight at 9:50.  A basket by Wilcox cut the deficit to six, 52-46, at 9:04, but Westminster went on an 11-2 run to make it 63-48 with 5:30 left in the game.

The Blue Jays extended their lead to 16 and coasted to the win.  Westminster swept the season series from Webster, winning at Fulton, MO, earlier this season.  Webster shot 50.9% to Westminster's 47.5%, and had a 35-25 edge on the boards in the game.  But the Gorloks committed 26 turnovers, its second highest total of the season, after the 35 vs. Greenville.

Wilcox had nine points and a team-high 12 rebounds.  Johnson had a team-high 12 points and five assists. 

Webster falls to 5-5 in the SLIAC and 8-9 overall.  The Gorloks started the daly in a four-way tie for fourth place in the SLIAC with the Blue Jays    Webster leads all-time series, 32-28.  Westminster improves to 6-4 and 10-7 oveall.

The Gorloks head to Elsah, IL, on January 23 to take on Principia College.