The Webster University women's basketball team may have returned from the warmth of California to land in the deep freeze at home, but its shooting certainly warmed things up as it defeated Iowa Wesleyan University, 83-45, on January 3 at Grant Gym. The Gorloks' sizzling first half shooting and its pressure defense combined to help put the Tigers in a 48-9 hole, and Webster coasted in the second half for the win.
The Gorloks sprinted to a 13-2 lead in the first five minutes of the contest as they forced nine turnovers. Finishing the period ahead, 25-6, they shot a blistering 64% (11-17). The Gorloks' pressure defense gave the Tigers fits as Wesleyan committed 14 total turnovers. Five minutes into the second period, Webster had extended its lead to 42-9, having shot a scorching 73% (17-26) from the field.
Webster led 48-9 for the half, shooting 65.6% (21-32). Freshman Darieana Hunter (Norman, OK/Norman) led the Gorloks with nine points, and Aley Lucas (SR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) and Megan Brandt (SR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) each had eight points.
The Gorloks pulled the metal off the pedal a bit as they led the Tigers, 66-31, after three. The shooting had cooled off as Webster was at a 56% (28-50) pace for the game. The Webster bench got heavily involved in the fourth as the Gorloks coasted to the 83-45 win. Fourteen players saw the floor as 11 Gorloks got into the scoring column.
Webster forced 30 turnovers in the game and had a season-high 26 steals.
Hunter led the Gorloks with 16 points and pulled down a team-high six rebounds as well. Taylor Lucas (SR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) had 12 points and a team-high five assists. Natalie Busscher (JR, Mundelein, IL/Mundelein) with 11, and Aley Lucas and Megan Brandt, with 10 each, also hit double figures in scoring.
Webster evens its SLIAC record at 2-2 and is now 8-4 overall. Webster is right back in action on January 6 as the team travels to Louisville, KY, to take on Spalding University.
