Women win, remain on top in SLIAC
Victory over Highlanders allows Gorloks to maintain first-place tie with Fontbonne University
By: Brittney French and Jonathan Webb
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports
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And that's exactly what happened Saturday, Jan. 30, after WU downed MacMurry College 71-49, putting out another conference win and keeping the Gorloks tied for first place with Fontbonne University.
WU opened the first half with strong offensive and defensive plays that helped the Gorloks keep the ball in their court and hit three three-point shots early in the game, giving them a 9-2 lead over the Highlanders.
"I think they were giving us a little extra cushion (defensively) and also, other girls stepped up and did what they needed to do," said junior forward Katy Meyer.
By halftime, WU's lead had grown to 20 points, and at the end of game, the Gorloks eked out their eighth conference win and had 11 players in the scoring column.
"They started playing that zone, so we were really open on the perimeter," said sophomore guard Blaire Underwood. "We had some offensive boards, and tried to take some charges (defensively)."
Against MacMurray, WU made 10 of its 21 three-point attempts, and Meyer and freshman forward Tori Fenemor rebounded from injuries that kept them from playing against Blackburn.
"Nobody likes to miss a game, but we're so deep, it really isn't any different," Meyer said.
Meyer had 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists for the MacMurray game, while Blaire Underwood led the Gorloks with a total of 13 points and the most 3-point shots for WU, hitting three of five attempts.
Freshman guard Jamie Gaal knocked down a trio of three-point shots, finishing with nine points.
"I told her (Gaal) 'if you're going to be in the games, you're going to have to shoot the basketball," coach Jordan Olufson said. "She listened to us today."
Saturday's win raised the Gorloks' SLIAC record to 8-2, while MacMurray fell to 5-5.
While WU planned to take a break from the SLIAC the next day, their conference-game confidence continued during a nonconference game Sunday, Jan. 31, asthe Gorloks beat St. Mary of the Woods College 72-64.
Despite opening up a 12-point lead in the first half, and extending it to 18 in the second, the Gorloks lead fell to three points with 3:55 remaining in the game.
Five straight free throws by WU and a jumper by sophomore forward Megan Willett helped the Gorloks seal the game with a 10-point lead with 1:55 left.
Sophomore forward Ayrica Lockett lead the Gorloks with 15 points.
Lockett hit seven of 11 shots from the field, and snatched eight rebounds and three steals.
Tori Fenemor also scored 15 points in 13 minutes, despite a rib injury that kept her on the bench for most of the game.
Overall, WU is 13-6 overall for the season.
The 13 wins during the season are the sixth highest total in 24 years of women's basketball.
The Gorloks' will return to the SLIAC in their last home conference game of the season Feb. 3 and play against Greenville College, later heading to Eureka College Feb. 6.
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