Griffins Struggle To Get Offense Going Against Webster

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University women's basketball team opened its 2018-19 conference slate with a tough 83-59 loss against Webster.

The Griffins (1-3; 0-1 SLIAC), shot 37.0 percent from the floor and 25.0 percent from downtown. Raven Venegas registered double-digits for the fourth straight game with 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Mallory Proffer, meanwhile, came off the bench to finish with nine.

Webster (3-1; 1-0 SLIAC), connected on 54.8 percent of its attempts and dominated the glass with a 41-28 advantage. Each team also had its struggles taking care of the ball with 30 turnovers apiece.

Individually, Hannah Cottrell led the Gorloks with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Brylee Manes sank 5-of-8 from the field to conclude with 13, while Addison Beussink earned a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.

In the first quarter, the Griffins took a 6-5 lead at the 6:48 mark on Paige Black's made lay-up. It was all Webster the rest of the way, though as they closed out the final six minutes on a 20-5 run to take the 26-10 advantage.

In the second, the Griffins tried to stay within striking distance after Proffer made both of her free throws with 6:06 to go to make it 28-17.  

However, the Gorloks shot 52.9 percent from the floor in the second, compared to Fontbonne going 3-of-15 (20.0 percent), and that allowed them to take a 45-20 lead heading into the break.

In the third, a three-point play from Jillian Venegas, along with a lay-up from Proffer trimmed the deficit down to 45-25 with 8:25 left.

Despite the Griffins shooting a much-improved 58.3 percent from the floor in the third quarter, the team trailed 62-37 going into the finale.

In the fourth, the Griffins outscored Webster 22-21 and forced seven turnovers, but the Gorloks fended off Fontbonne for the 24-point win.

The team looks to bounce back on the road this Saturday against MacMurray. Tip-off goes up at 1 p.m.

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