ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Webster University women's basketball closed out the 2024 Webster Tip-Off Classic with the championship game against Hanover College Sunday afternoon in Grant Gymnasium. WU's Bethany Lancaster achieved the historic milestone of 1,000 career points in a Gorlok uniform by scoring 33 points in the 78-69 victory over Hanover College. With the victory, Webster was crowned the champions of the tournament and secured a 2-0 start to the season. 

Webster opened this non-conference decision in an early 11-3 deficit as Claire Williams knocked down a three-point basket that got the Gorloks on the board. Shortly later, Webster cut the deficit down to four at 13-9 with a 6-2 run that featured another three-point basket by Williams and three points by Emily Wilson. 

Shortly later, the Gorloks added baskets in the paint by Meghan Illingworth and Mattie Jones that generated a five-point deficit at 18-13. The Panthers closed out the opening quarter with a 6-2 run that generated the score to 24-14 as Lancaster got her night started with a fast-break layup.

The Gorloks opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run as Lancaster added six points that cut the deficit down to three at 26-23. Moments later, the Gorloks took their first lead of the game at 29-28 with a 6-0 run that started on a jumper by Kaimyla Nolen. In addition to the run, Wilson and Lancaster added baskets in the paint. 

Following a successful three-point basket by HC's Alexis Wines, the Gorloks took the 33-31 advantage that included a jump shot in the paint by Wilson while Gilchrist knocked down a pair of free-throws. Moments later, the Panthers regained the two-point lead at 37-35 with a 6-2 run as Julie Diveney added a layup. 

In the final minute of the first half, the Gorloks regained the one-point advantage at 38-37 that featured a conventional three-point play by Nolen as she battled through the contact and sunk the free-throw attempt. Webster took the 38-37 lead to the halftime intermission. 

Webster opened the second half with a 7-2 run that included a three-point basket by Williams and two-point baskets from Wilson and Lancaster for the 45-39 lead. For the next four minutes of play, the Gorloks and Panthers exchanged points that included baskets from Illingworth and Rylee Denbow as Denbow's basket generated a 49-43 advantage. In the final two minutes of the quarter, Hanover cut the lead down to one at 49-48 with a 5-0 run. The run was eventually snapped on a lay-in by Lancaster that ended the quarter for the 51-48 advantage. 

The Gorloks opened the final quarter with back-to-back baskets by Diveney and Lancaster that increased the lead to seven at 55-48. After both teams exchanged baskets, Williams knocked down another three-pointer that gave the Gorloks the 60-52 advantage. 

Moments later, the Buffalo, Missouri native Lancaster recorded seven consecutive points for the Gorloks which was capped off with a conventional three-point. Lancaster battled through the contact and swished the free-throw attempt that generated the double-digit lead at 67-57. Following a basket by both teams, Lancaster answered with five straight points for the Gorloks that included two baskets in the paint and a successful free-throw attempt for the 74-63 advantage. 

With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Webster increased their lead to 13 at 76-63 with a pair of free-throws from Williams. In the final moments of the game, Lancaster netted her 18th point of the quarter with a lay-in that secured the victory. 

For the game, Lancaster tied her career-high with 33 points and secured her first double-double of the season. In addition, Williams and Wilson achieved double-figures with 13 points apiece as Williams shot three-of-four from behind the arc. 

As a team, the Gorloks shot 50.8 percent from the field and achieved an 81.8 percent clip from the free-throw line. 

Following the championship game, six student-athletes from all four teams were selected to the All-Tournament team while Lancaster was named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament by averaging 22 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 61.8 percent from the field. 

The 2024 Webster Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament team is below:
 

Name	School	Year / Position	Stats
Grace Bezold	Hanover	Senior / Forward	Averaged 24 points and seven rebounds per game
Sammy Berman	Hanover	Sophomore / Guard	Averaged 16 points and four rebounds per game
Mary Daley	Macalester	Sophomore / Guard	Averaged 10 points, 6.5 assists, and three rebounds per game
Shay Conn	Sewanee	Junior / Guard	Averaged 10.5 points and four rebounds per game
Bethany Lancaster	Webster	Graduate Student / Forward	Averaged 22 points and 7.5 rebounds per game
Emily Wilson	Webster	Senior / Forward	Averaged 16.5 points and five rebounds per game

The Gorloks will continue non-conference play hosting Illinois College on Wednesday, November 13 with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 PM in Grant Gymnasium.