ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Webster University women's basketball team was back in action this afternoon when they played host to the Westminster (Mo.) College Blue Jays for the 2023 SLIAC Tournament Final. The Gorloks defeated the Blue Jays by a final score of 87-84 to improve to 24-3 on the season and solidify their spot in the 2023 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Tournament. With the loss, the Blue Jays season comes to an end with an 18-10 overall record.

This marks the Gorloks second straight, and sixth overall, SLIAC Tournament Championship. They will advance to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championship for the seventh time in program history and the fourth time in the last six seasons.

Webster went 32-for-52 (61.5%) from the floor and 5-for-13 (38.5%) from behind the arc. They were outrebouned by the Blue Jays by a final count of 32-30 and pulled down seven offensive boards. Webster forced Westminster to turn the ball over 13 times and turned those turnovers into 16 points on the other end of the floor. The Gorloks scored 42 of their 80 points in the paint and dished out 13 assists.

In the first quarter of the game, both sides came out and exchanged baskets in the first few minutes of the contest. With the score tied at 10 midway through the quarter, the Blue Jays ended the frame on a 9-4 run and took a 19-14 lead into the second. The Blue Jays carried over their momentum into the second and pushed their lead to seven in the first two minutes of the period. The Gorloks retook the lead with five minutes to play in the half, and then went on a 7-2 run to take a 39-33 lead late in the period. The Blue Jays would answer with a 9-2 run of their own to end the half and Webster would take a 42-41 advantage into the locker room.

Westminster came out of the locker room and started the half on a 9-3 run to give themselves a five-point lead. Webster answered with a 10-0 run of their own and would take a 63-60 lead into the fourth. The Gorloks pushed their lead out to nine to start the fourth, but the Blue Jays would cut the lead to three in the final minutes of the contest. Westminster continued to claw their way back into the game in the final minutes and found themselves trailing by one with just 57 seconds remaining. The Gorloks would extend their lead back out to five and hold off Westminster down the stretch to solidify the win.

Julie Baudendistel led the way for the Gorloks as she finished with a team high 17 points and a team high eight rebounds. Kate Rolfes also had a big game as she finished with 16 points while knocking down four three's. Lastly, Bethany Lancaster finished with 13 points while Claire Williams added nine.

Following the conclusion of the tournament, the SLIAC announced the All-Tournament Team. For their efforts in the last two games, Julie Baudendistel and Kate Rolfes were recognized while Bethany Lancaster was named Tournament MVP.

The Gorloks will advance to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Tournament for the second straight season and the seventh time in program history. They will wait to see where and when they will play when the NCAA announces the tournament field on Monday, February 27^th at 1:30 p.m.