Griffins Down First Place Gorloks, Extend Winning Streak

The Fontbonne University women's basketball team extended its winning streak out to eight, handed the Webster Gorloks its first loss in 2020, and defeated them for the first time since 2017 on Thursday night.

Final: Fontbonne 67, Webster 58

Location: DSAC

Records: Fontbonne (12-8; 11-2 SLIAC), Webster (13-7; 11-2 SLIAC)

How It Happened

In the first quarter, the Griffins started out fast with Rylee Stafford registering eight of the first 10 points for Fontbonne to give them a 10-4 lead with 6:28 remaining.

Later, with 3:14 remaining, Jillian Venegas made her layup to keep Fontbonne on top, 17-8. The Gorloks closed out the quarter on a 5-0 run but still trailed 17-13 after one.

Fontbonne shot 50.0 percent from the floor in the first, while the Gorloks had its struggles going 5-of-12 from the floor and committing seven turnovers.

In the second quarter, neither team shot the ball particularly well with the Griffins going 5-of-16 (31.3 percent) and Webster going just 3-of-13 (23.1 percent).

After Jaysea Morgan trimmed the Fontbonne lead down to 17-15, the Griffins went on a quick 8-0 run with Mallory Proffer hitting her 3-pointer to give them a commanding 25-15 lead with 6:06 on the clock.

The team never relinquished its lead the rest of the way and went into the locker room leading 29-22.

In the third, a 3-pointer from Jillian Venegas gave the Griffins a 35-26 advantage at 5:54. The Gorloks went on a 5-0 run to make it a 35-31 outing. The Griffins answered right back as they dominated the final minutes finishing out on a 15-2 run as Riley Guffey's 3-pointer gave them a 17-point lead heading into the fourth.

In the finale, the Griffins led 62-46 on Rylee Stafford's layup with just over six minutes remaining. Webster tried to make it interesting going on a 10-5 run but the comeback was not to be with Fontbonne going on for the victory.

Inside The Numbers

• The Griffins shot 44.6 percent from the floor and connected on 10 3-pointers.
• Defensively, they forced 25 turnovers and turned that into 29 points.
• Webster ended the night shooting 34.9 percent and struggled from downtown going just 5-of-25 (20.0 percent)

Webster Leaders

• Hannah Cottrell led with 13 points.
• Julie Baudendistel nearly had a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Fontbonne Leaders

• Rylee Stafford led with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
• Kourtney White went a perfect 6-of-6 from the field to add 15 points, while Jillian Vengas contributed 11.
• Raven Venegas pulled down a game-high 10 boards and tied her career-high with six assists. She also added a game-high four steals.
• All seven Griffins that appeared in the game registered at least four points

Up Next

The Griffins look to split the season series and win its ninth in a row on Saturday against Spalding. Tip-off at 12 p.m.

STORY COURTESY OF FONTBONNE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION