Wisconsin-Whitewater Pulls Away From Gorloks For Win

For the second consecutive year, the Webster University women's basketball team threatened to pick up an opening-round victory in the NCAA Division III National Tournament but saw their hopes fade away. Last year the Gorloks lost 79-76, leading with five minutes remaining in the game. Tonight the Gorloks were taking on the University-Wisconsin Whitewater and fell to the host school 69-50. The game featured six lead changes and 10 ties however despite tying the game up on three separate occasions in the 3rd quarter the Gorloks were never able to get the go-ahead basket. 

Webster scored the game's first five points behind a jumper from Nysa Gilchrist and three by Julie Baudendistel and held a 13-7 lead with 2:34 remaining. But the Warhawks made a run at the end of the quarter, closing the score to 15-14 in favor of Webster. The Warhawks put up 19 points in the second quarter, tying with the 4th quarter, for most points in a quarter for the game, while holding Webster to just 12 points; taking a 33-27 lead into halftime. 

Down by eight early in the 3rd, Baudendistel knocked down a triple to start a Gorlok run. Emily Wilson and Bethany Lancaster each followed with layups to bring the score to 37-36. Moments later a Kate Rolfes layup drew the teams even, erasing a Warhawks lead that they had held since 1:26 of the 2nd quarter. The two teams traded baskets with Webster's Claire Williams knocking down a pair of free throws at the 3:30 mark to make the score 43-43. 

However, from there it was all Warhawks, going on a 15-0 run over the next 9:06 of game action. The Gorloks missed 14 shots over that stretch, committing seven turnovers as well, and did not score on a field goal again until the 1:58 mark of the 4th quarter with their only points during that time coming from the free-throw line. 

Webster shot just 31 percent from the field and was 2-of-13 from three-point range. Wisconsin-Whitewater shot 38 percent but outscored Webster 26-2 in points off turnovers. Emily Wilson led WEbster with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Webster finishes the season with a 24-4 overall record.

- #SLIACtion -