ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Webster University women's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season hosting the Scots of Macalester College for the opening round of the Webster Tip-Off Classic Saturday evening in Grant Gymnasium. The Gorloks secured a double-digit victory over the Scots by the final score of 84-71. WU's Emily Wilson led the team with 20 points while shooting eight-of-10 from the field.
The reigning 2023 SLIAC Champions opened this non-conference decision with an early 3-0 lead that included a free-throw made by Nysa Gilchrist and a layup by Emily Wilson. Moments later, the Scots took the 4-3 lead with back-to-back baskets. The Gorloks answered right back and took the 7-3 lead with baskets in the paint by Bethany Lancaster and Wilson.
Midway through the first quarter, the Gorloks increased their lead to six at 14-8 that included a basket in the paint by Lancaster and a deep three-point basket by Julie Diveney. Moments later, WU's Kaimyla Nolen kept the six-point advantage at 16-10 for the Gorloks by splitting a pair of free-throws. For the final two and a half minutes of the opening quarter, Webster allowed just one point and took the 16-11 lead after the first quarter.
The Scots opened the second quarter on a 6-2 run that cut the lead down to one at 18-17. On the next Gorlok possession, Rylee Denbow knocked down a deep three-point basket that was assisted by Claire Williams. However, the Scots answered with a 7-2 run that generated a one-point deficit at 24-23.
Moments later, the Gorloks regained the one-point advantage at 25-24 with a basket by Glichrist in the paint. For the final two and a half minutes of the half, Wilson scored eight straight points for the Gorloks which lead to the 33-25 lead at the break.
The Gorloks opened the second half with a 6-3 run to the advantage of 39-31 as Wilson scored all six points. With the combination of the 8-0 Wilson run late in the second quarter, she achieved a 14-point consecutive streak for the Gorloks. Moments later, the Gorloks increased their lead to double-digits at 44-33 that included a conventional three-point play by Lancaster and lay-in by Gilchrist.
Macalester cut the deficit down to six on two separate occasions with the final time at 46-40 that included a pair of free-throws by Mary Daley. Moments later, the Gorloks increased their lead back to double-digits at 55-43 with a 9-2 run. Williams started the run with a free-throw which was followed up with baskets by Aleyna Sherman. In addition Denbow added a mid-range jumper while Meghan Illingworth capped it off with a basket in the paint.
With one minute left in the third quarter, Denbow drained a deep three-point basket that increased the lead to 58-45. Sherman closed out the Gorlok scoring for the quarter by knocking down a pair of three-throws that generated the score of 60-47.
The Scots opened the final quarter with a 10-4 run that cut the lead down to seven at 64-57. Moments later, the Gorloks countered with a 10-0 run that took the 74-57 lead. In the run, four different student-athletes recorded a basket which included Lancaster, Glichrist, Kaimlya Nolen, and a three-point shot by Williams.
The Gorloks kept the double-digit advantage for the remainder of the game as transfer Emily Kerce scored the final Webster basket of the game.
For the game, the Gorloks were led by Wilson with 20 points while Lancaster added 15 points and five rebounds. In addition, Denbow contributed 12 points that included shooting two-of-three from behind the arc.
As a team, Webster outscored Macalester 48-36 with points in the paint and outscored the Scots 32-10 in bench points. Defensively, the Gorloks generated 14 steals that turned into 21 points on the offensive end.
The Gorloks will advance to the Webster Tip-Off Classic Championship game to face the Panthers of Hanover College on Sunday, November 11 starting at 2:00PM in Grant Gymnasium.
