ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Webster University women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 season this weekend when it hosted the Angel Saddler Memorial Classic at Grant Gymnasium. The Gorloks fell to the University of the Ozarks by a final score of 78-66 on Friday before bouncing back with an 82-61 victory over Franklin (Ind.) College on Saturday to finish the weekend with a 1-1 record.
In Friday's season opener, the Gorloks went 23-for-64 (35.9%) from the floor and 4-for-22 (18.2%) from behind the arc. Webster outrebounded the Eagles by a final count of 37-29, including 12 offensive rebounds, and forced 15 turnovers while collecting 11 steals in the contest.
Webster came out strong in the opening quarter and jumped out to an early eight-point lead. The Eagles battled back to tie the game late in the period, but the Gorloks regained control and took a 21-19 advantage into the second. Ozarks responded by outscoring Webster 15-6 in the second quarter to take a 34-27 lead into the locker room.
The Eagles carried their momentum into the second half and extended their lead to as many as 18 points early in the third quarter. The Gorloks continued to battle and cut the deficit to seven following a 9-0 run late in the fourth, but Ozarks held on down the stretch to secure the 78-66 victory.
Akaela Caquelin and Sydney Esperanza led the way for Webster as they each finished with a team-high 16 points. Caquelin added nine rebounds, while Esperanza pulled down seven. Daijah Jones also finished in double figures with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists. In addition, Harley Washington chipped in nine points, while Kaimyla Nolen collected a game-high five steals.
The Gorloks returned to the court Saturday looking to close out the tournament with a victory against Franklin. Webster finished the contest shooting 26-for-56 (46.4%) from the floor and 9-for-25 (36.0%) from three-point range. The Gorloks also dished out 18 assists, committed just 11 turnovers, and turned 15 Franklin turnovers into 20 points on the other end of the floor.
Franklin got off to a strong start and built an early lead before taking a 21-17 advantage into the second quarter. The Grizzlies extended their lead to as many as eight points midway through the period, but Webster responded behind a strong offensive performance from Rylee Webb. Webb scored 10 of the Gorloks' final 12 points of the half as Webster battled back to take a 37-35 lead into the break.
The Gorloks carried that momentum into the third quarter and opened the half on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to nine. Franklin battled back and cut the deficit to five, but Webster answered with a 9-0 run of its own to push the advantage to 56-42. The Gorloks outscored the Grizzlies 24-13 in the period and took a 61-48 lead into the fourth.
Webster continued to control the contest in the final quarter, extending its lead to as many as 21 points before closing out the 82-61 victory. The Gorloks outscored Franklin 45-26 in the second half to secure their first win of the season.
Webb led the way for Webster with a game-high 25 points, shooting 9-for-18 from the floor and knocking down three three-pointers. Caquelin followed with 20 points, six rebounds, and four three-pointers, while Jones added 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Nolen also had a strong performance, finishing with nine points and a team-high five assists.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, the 2026 Memorial Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team was announced. The team included Molly Mossing (Wittenberg), Madi Barnett (Wittenberg), Kennedi Wight (Ozarks), Abby Beene (Ozarks), Molly Schulte (Franklin), and Akaela Caquelin (Webster). Beene was named the Tournament MVP.
The women's basketball team will return to action on Friday, November 13, when it travels to take on Centre (Ky.) College in a nonconference matchup.
