MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

Could be a rough 2 weeks heading into the break for Webster. After the way Central crushed Westminster tonight and obviously the Bears will be a challenge just to hang. Plus next week is finals week according to Webster's Calender. Let's so how the mighty mighty Gorloks live up to the hype....which is deflating after that Prin debacle.

Stat of the night- Central College was 18-18 from the line.

And let's not forget that Central is the team that beat Augustana which was ranked #1 at the time but has since dropped to #4.

I'm not sure what "live up to the hype" means. I think we're all pretty realistic about the challenges Webster and the rest of the SLIAC teams face this season.

[SliacChamp]

The hype was the expectations everyone had going in to this season. All the "national attention" everyone was anticipating is still achievable with 2 wins before break. The hype also is there because of pre season conference voting.

[WUPHF]

#WhynotWebster #Hopefullynottonight

[y_jack_lok]

The hype was the expectations everyone had going in to this season. All the "national attention" everyone was anticipating is still achievable with 2 wins before break. The hype also is there because of pre season conference voting.

Okay then. It seems, though, that some of the ingredients that led to the hype are no longer in the mix. But the Gorloks can still be a strong team if they play to their potential and talent level. Hoping those two wins happen.

[SliacChamp]

Agreed, plenty of pieces in place over there to make a great run this season.

[y_jack_lok]

A shout out to Denny McKinney who had his stay in the DaVinci Room this afternoon. Hope everything went well and that you are on the speedy road to recovery.

I'm really, really happy to report that Denny made it through his experience at the Mercy Hospital DaVinci Pavillion successfully, is free of the disease that has tried hard to mess with so many McKinneys, and is starting the healing process. Personally, I'm looking forward to some insightful and even sharply worded posts from you Denny. Hope to see you at a game in February.

[WUPHF]

#McKinneyStrong

[SliacChamp]

Webster 61 Wash U 57. Gorloks turn it up a notch and stun....everyone.

[Gregory Sager]

Good to hear that, y_jack. Get well soon, Denny.

[WUPHF]

Webster 61 Wash U 57. Gorloks turn it up a notch and stun....everyone.

I am not sure that everyone would be stunned.  Keep in mind, Washington University was almost upset at home after running up a 14-0 lead on a 0-8 Trinity squad.

For what it is worth, Massey is predicting a 10 point win by Washington University, giving Webster a 17 percent chance at the upset.

[SliacChamp]

Going from an overtime escape win against PRIN and then beating #4 ranked WashU would be stunning.

[SliacChamp]

Gorloks hanging tough vs WashU. 27-35 at half. Got as close as 2 late. Have to keep up defensive pressure and limit wide open catch and shoots for 3.

[y_jack_lok]

Great effort by the Gorloks tonight. Wash U just too efficient in all phases of the game, keeping Webster from being able to make a serious run.

[jaybird44]

I agree Y-Jack.  Watched the 1st half in person then monitored live stats in the 2nd half.  Webster's personnel has great hops and good closing foot speed...that made its 2-3 zone very dangerous and hard to dissect.  Wash-U did a great job of moving the ball around the perimeter, side-to-side, and into the paint for good shots--but it was extremely hard work and took a lot of patience to get the best shot on each possession.  Some of the bullet passes the Bears had to throw were close to breaking fingers, it seemed.  But that was needed to find seams in that well-played zone.

Wash-U led 25-10 at one point in the first half, but Hunter Ward cut it to 2 on a 3-pointer with about 3 minutes left in the half.  Unfortunately, Webster turned the ball over deep in the shot clock on its subsequent possession, and Wash-U went on an 8-2 run to lead 35-27 at halftime.  The Bears were able to extend the lead to 17 in the 2nd half, and was able to hold back Webster 80-70.

Wash-U shot 50.8% from the floor and 6 of 18 from 3-point range...Webster was 43% overall and 6 of 18 from the arc.  Wash-U had a 42-32 edge in rebounding, which may have been the most important edge since it kept the Gorloks from getting extra chances to cut into the Bears' lead.  Wash-U was led by Matt Palucki's 21 points/10 rebounds, Nick Burt had 17 points/6 rebounds/8 assists, and David Fatoki had 9 points/9 assists/5 rebounds.  Webster was led by Ahmad Smith's 33 points, CJ Moore's 14 points, and Hunter Ward added 9 points/8 rebounds.

All in all, Wash-U played well in front of a vocal crowd that was intent on getting inside the Bears' ears and minds.  Now, onto the big game with the IWU Titans Saturday night...

[SliacChamp]

I thought Webster competed very well tonight. If only they played as hard in the 1st half as they did in the second. They also had a few bad breaks. A couple of tipped passes that went right to the hands of a wide open WashU player for a layup or a quick pass for a wide open three. WashU did a great job of turning up their physical play in the post in the 2nd half. Aaron Griffin has to adjust his play to players who can out muscle him and use his nice touch and quickness.

When will we see a consistent Hunter Ward. He was 3-14 from the field tonight and AGAIN struggled at the line. He is such a good player and its a pain to see him struggling.

If he can put together a decent game tonight along with Ahmad Smith's GREAT game then I think this game could have gone the other way.

All in All Webster showed some heart and has more than a few positive things to look at from this game. May be a good thing that they have 9 days to gear up for Central.