Webster Men Win Tournament Championship

ST. LOUIS - A come from behind victory propelled the Webster University men's basketball team to their first trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament since 2002, as it defeated Westminster College, 64-47, at Grant Gymnasium on February 26. The men joined the Webster women's basketball team, who had secured its NCAA berth with a win earlier in the day at Westminster.

A second half turnaround, after a sluggish first, saw the Gorloks turn a nail-biter into a blowout. The Blue Jays led at the half, buoyed by six three-pointers, as Webster shot a cool 30% overall, only hitting one of eight three-point attempts. The second half was a different story, as the packed house of over 600, came alive with the Gorlok comeback..

Webster shot 52% from the field, out rebounded Westminster 24-13, and hit its free throws as the Blue Jay fouls piled up as the Gorlok lead expanded. Webster held Westminster to only five points for the final 13:15 of the game. Down 42-37, the Gorloks outscored Westminster 27-5 the rest of the way.

Willie Trimble had 13 points, five rebounds, and three steals on the night. For that effort, and his 29 point/5 steal performance in the first round win over Greenville College, Trimble was named the Most Valuable Player for the 2011 SLIAC Men's Basketball Tournament. Robby Meeh was also named to the 2011 All-Tournament Team.

Others joining Trimble and Meeh on the All-Tournament Team include Westminster's Skylar Tolson and Jake Vislay, Greenville's Obinna Agomo and MacMurray College's Jerell Robertson.

Webster improved to 20-6 on the season. The 20 wins is a single-season high for the Gorloks, tying the 20 wins for the 2007-2008 season. Like the women's team, the men await word from the NCAA as to where and when they will be playing their first round match-up. The NCAA Men's Selection Committee will announce brackets on Monday, February 28, at 12:00 p.m.

Courtesy Webster University sports information