The Westminster men's basketball team fell to Webster University on Saturday afternoon, 70-62. The Blue Jays now sit in a four-way tie for third place in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) with a 9-7 conference record. They hold a 9-14 overall record.
Webster jumped out to a nine-point lead to start the game and extended the lead to 14 points 10 minutes in, 27-13. A layup by sophomore Tanner Cochran brought the game back within single digits with 4:03 on the clock, but Webster went back up by 10. Freshman Collin Caywood made a jump shot and freshman Carter Wands put in a free throw to send the game into halftime with Webster leading 34-27.
Sophomore Romo Tabb brought the game within six points to start the second half, but a 9-3 Webster run put the Blue Jays down by 12, 45-33. Tabb sunk two consecutive baskets and senior Matt Murphy added a bucket to bring the Blue Jays back within six with 13:39 to play, 45-39. Webster pulled an 11-point lead, but a Caywood three-pointer knocked Webster's lead to just five points with 6:12 remaining, 58-53. A 5-0 Webster run put the Blue Jay's deficit back into double digits, but a layup by Tabb off sophomore Jimmy Villalobos' steal and assist put the Blue Jays within seven with 1:42 on the clock, 66-59. Webster went 4-for-4 from the foul line over the next 40 seconds to take an 11-point lead. Sophomore Nick Carlos was fouled on a three-point attempt with 20 seconds remaining, sending him to the line. He drained all three, bringing the score to 70-62. Neither team scored again, ending the game with a 70-62 loss.
Tabb led the Blue Jays with 18 points and seven boards. Carlos added 14 points while Caywood scored 13.
The Blue Jays are still fighting for a spot in the SLIAC Tournament. They travel to MacMurray on Wednesday, February 17, for their final road game of the regular season. Tip-off is at 8:00 pm.
