Late Overtime Three Pointer From Webster Spoils Griffins Efforts

ST. LOUIS, Mo.— The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) opener between Webster and Fontbonne didn't disappoint in front of a capacity crowd. Despite the Griffins efforts, a late 3-pointer from the Gorloks secured the 75-74 win in overtime.

In overtime, the Griffins took a 73-72 lead with 36.0 seconds left after Luke DeLine made his jumper. Webster had the chance to take the lead on the ensuing possession, but missed both of its attempts. Jared Woodcock came down with the rebound after the second miss and got fouled on the play.

The Sullivan, Mo., native, missed his first attempt at the free throw line, but knocked in the second with 11.0 seconds left. The Gorloks got the ball with seconds remaining. Kevin Anders received a pass in the corner and drained the 3-pointer to give Webster the 75-74 lead.

Fontbonne had one final shot for the win, but Woodcock's jumper missed and Webster hung on for the wild 75-74 (OT) victory.

Overall, the Griffins (2-3; 0-1 SLIAC) shot 42.9 percent from the field and outrebounded Webster 47-41. DeLine broke out once again as he tied his season-high with 30 points on 12-of-25 shooting and pulled down 11 boards.

Woodcock finished the night with 15 points, while Gus Kleekamp got his first start on the season and ripped down a career-high 14 points, to go along with his six assists.

Webster (5-2; 1-0 SLIAC), ended the night with a 41.7 field goal percentage. Nigel Wilcox led down low with 13 points and eight rebounds. Enrique Tankins and Josh Johnson tied with 12 points each, while Rodson Etienne contributed 11 of his own.

In the first, the Griffins took an 18-16 lead with 10:18 to go after Caden Clark made his lay-up. Webster responded with a 6-0 run over the next three minutes to gain some breathing room on Nate Dillinger's 3-pointer.

With 1:10 to go, the Gorloks were up 33-29, but a 3-pointer from Clark cut the deficit down to 33-32. Webster went on to hit one more free throw prior to the half ending to take a 34-32 advantage after 20:00 minutes of action.

Webster still maintained its marginal lead as the clock continued to tick away early in the second. With 11:20 on the board, the Gorloks led 46-41 after Wilcox's made jumper.

Fontbonne responded with a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to grab a 48-46 lead on Ian Cochran's lay-up. The team stretched its lead out to 52-48 after DeLine got the ball, raced down court, and made an acrobatic lay-up while getting fouled on the play.

He capped off the old-fashioned three-point play with a made free throw to give Fontbonne a five-point (53-48) advantage with just 6:49 to go.

Then, with 2:09 left, the Griffins led 59-55. However, the Gorloks kept battling and responded with a 7-0 run to take a 62-59 lead with 53.0 seconds on the clock.

Fontbonne answered with DeLine driving the lane, hitting the lay-up and getting fouled once again on the shot. He sank the free throw to tie the game at 62-62 with 19.0 seconds left and it was off to overtime.

In overtime, the Griffins were on top 71-66 on Woodcock's two made free throws at 2:19. The Gorloks continued to chip away and eventually spoiled Fontbonne's efforts with a 3-pointer from Anders to give them the one-point win.

Fontbonne looks to bounce back on the road this Saturday against MacMurray. Tip-off goes up at 3 p.m.

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