ST. LOUIS, Mo. – This evening the Webster University women's basketball team was back in action when they played host to the Westminster (Mo.) College Bluejays for the SLIAC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Game. The Gorloks, who were the top seed in the tournament, defeated the second seeded Bluejays by a final score of 82-71 to clinch their fifth ever SLIAC Tournament Title and a spot in the NCAA DIII Women's Basketball National Tournament. With the loss, the Bluejays season ends with an 18-10 overall record.

With the win, Webster improve to 25-0 for the first time in program history. Their 25 wins match a program record that was set in the 2001-02 season.

Webster went 28-for-66 (42.4%) from the floor and 6-for-19 (31.6%) from behind the arc. They outrebounded the Bluejays 49-45 and forced them to turn the ball over 25 times. The Gorloks turned those 25 turnovers into 26 points on the other end of the floor. Webster also dished out 17 assists in the game.

The Gorloks came out in the first quarter of the game and jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first four minutes. They pushed their lead to as many as seven in the frame, but a 9-3 run from the Bluejays to end the quarter cut the Gorloks lead to 16-15 heading into the second. Westminster carried over their momentum into the second and held a 22-21 lead midway through the period. Webster retook the lead on a layup from Addison Beussink, but a 7-0 run from Westminster put them up 29-23 with just under five minutes to play in the half. Webster ended the half on an 11-3 run and took a 34-32 lead into the locker room.

The Gorloks came out of the locker room and grew their lead to seven in the first few minutes of the half. The Bluejays battled back and cut the lead to three, but a 5-0 run from Webster put them up eight midway through the period. Westminster clawed their way back into the game in the final minutes of the quarter and the Gorloks would take a 50-49 lead into the fourth.

The Blue Jays continued to play well to start the final quarter and went on an 8-2 run to take a 57-52 advantage. Webster tied the score back up at 58 and ended the game on a 24-13 run to solidify the win.

Addison Beussink proved why she was the SLIAC Player of the Year as she finished with a game high 26 points and a team high 12 rebounds for her 10^th double-double of the year. Naomi Johnson and Julie Baudendistel also played big roles as they both finished with 15 points while Johnson added six rebounds and Baudendistel pulled down seven.

Following the conclusion of the game, Naomi Johnson was named to the SLIAC All-Tournament Team and Addison Beussink was named the SLIAC Tournament MVP.

The Gorloks have advanced to the NCAA DIII Women's Basketball National Tournament for the sixth time in program history and the fourth time under Head Coach Jordan Olufson. They will find out who and when they will play when the bracket is announced on Monday, February 28^th at 1:30 p.m. CST on www.ncaa.com.