FULTON, Mo. - The Webster University women's basketball team opened conference play with a visit to Westminster College on Wednesday. The Gorloks rallied behind balance scoring and generated 34 turnovers that generated the 65-45 victory over the Bluejays. With the victory, Webster improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The Gorloks opened the game with the early 7-2 advantage that included four consecutive points by Emily Kerce and a three-point basket by Claire Williams. Following another basket by Kerce that made the score 9-4, first-year guard Daijah Jones started a 7-0 run with a conventional add-one play. Moments later, Williams and Kerce closed out the quarter scoring with layups that generated the 16-6 advantage.
Webster and Westminster opened the second quarter trading baskets to the score of 20-10 which included two points each from Kerce and D. Jones. Midway through the quarter, the Bluejays added a 7-1 run that cut the lead down to four at 21-17.
For the next four minutes of play, the Gorloks and Bluejays traded 5-0 runs as the 5-0 Webster run included baskets by Miya Webb and Williams as Kaimyla Nolen added a free-throw. In the final 23 seconds of the first half, the Gorloks added five points that generated the 31-22 halftime lead that included baskets by Chassity McCammon and Williams while Akaela Caquelin added a free-throw.
The Gorloks opened the second half with a 10-1 run to the lead of 41-23 that included four points by Williams and two points each from Kerce, Webb, and Emma Smith. For the remainder of the quarter, Webster and Westminster traded baskets that pushed the score to 47-31 which included four points by McCammon and a layup by Caquelin.
Webster opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run on two layups each from Nolen and Caquelin that stretched the lead to 55-33. Moments later, the Bluejays added four consecutive free-throws that made the score of 57-37.
Midway through the quarter, Williams started an 8-2 run with a free-throw which was followed up with consecutive layups by Jones. Smith stretched the Gorlok lead to 65-39 and capped off the run with a three-point basket. In the final minute of regulation, the Bluejays closed out the game with a 6-0 run that generated the final score.
For the game, Williams led the team with 14 points while Kerce contributed 12 points. In addition, D. Jones set a career-high of nine points while Caquelin and Smith added seven points each. At the glass, Caquelin recorded a career-high and team-high 11 rebounds as Williams secured five. Defensively, Caquelin, Webb, and Smith recorded four steals each as Williams swiped two.
The Gorloks will revert back to non-conference play on Saturday, November 29 hosting Augustana College (IL) starting at 1:00PM in Grant Gym.
