BOX SCORE
MUW claimed its first SLIAC Men's Basketball Championship with a 77-76 win over Webster University. The win extends the Owls winning streak to seven games, two of which were over the Gorloks; the only two losses the Gorloks suffered against conference competition this season.
After hitting 12 of their first 14 shots in the semifinals, the Owls came out in the championship on a roll once again, opening up a 19-9 lead. Webster got back into the game with a 10-2 run, as Charles Nelson put up all 10 points for the Gorloks to close the score to 21-19.
A three-pointer by Ethan Chartrand gave Webster a 30-29 lead with 4:18 remaining in the first-half. The Gorloks took a three point edge, at 40-37, into the break thanks in large part to shooting 43-percent from the floor, including connecting on five three-pointers.
Webster grew their lead to eight in the early moments of the second-half when Ethan Chartrand hit a three and Justin Ugo followed with a layup. However the hot shooting of the Owls kept them in the game, while the Gorloks cooled off.
MUW would end up shooting 55-percent in the game including 58-percent in the second-half alone while Webster saw their shooting percentage for the second-half drop to 38-percent.
The Owls grabbed the lead back at the 15:39 mark on a jumper by Tray Huguley, which was part of an 11-0 run. With the score tied at 55 mid-way through the half the teams traded buckets until the Owls took advantage of the Gorloks missed shots, opening up a 72-62 with 3:18 remaining.
Chartrand sparked the Gorloks and got the home crowd back into it when he scored seven straight points. Charles Nelson drew the score even at 74 when he knocked down a three with 47-seconds on the clock.
The Owls had possession with the shot clock off and after having their shot blocked were able to grab the loose ball where Trent Walker threw up a shot that fell threw the hoop and drew a foul for the old-fashioned three-point play. The Gorloks had one last moment, setting up a play with eight-seconds left but were forced into a layup at the buzzer, coming up one point short.
MUW improves to 17-10 on the season and wins the program's first championship after joining the conference just three years ago. They await they announcement of the NCAA Division III Tournament field on Monday.