Tiger offense stalls at Webster

WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. - The Iowa Wesleyan men's basketball team took on Webster University for their third game in five days on Wednesday night. The Tigers struggled to get shots to fall against the Gorloks which led to a 77-49 loss on the road.

Webster scored the first four points in the opening minute of play. Jake Neubauer had the first four points for the Tigers, which brought the score to 4-6 with just over 18 minutes to go in the first half. Nearly a minute later, IW was still within two points after a layup by Alberto Torres. The Gorloks came down and made a layup on the next possession, but Jarryd Fernandes grabbed an offensive rebound and made the put-back to bring the score to 8-10.

After the layup by Fernandes, the Iowa Wesleyan offense went over four minutes without scoring. During the stretch, Webster was able to build a 13 point lead before Austin Rebel was able to finally end the drought with a layup at the 11:54 minute mark. The Gorloks turned the ball over and Rebel took advantage with another layup for the Tigers to bring IW within nine points of the Webster lead. The Gorloks regained a double-digit lead, but Iowa Wesleyan did not go away. With 5:27 remaining in the first half, Jake Neubauer hit a three pointer to bring the score to 31-23. Webster followed with a 9-0 run to build a 17 point lead. Neubauer scored the final points of the opening period, and the Tigers trailed 46-27 at the break.

The first points of the second half came off a layup by Webster, but Rebel was able to score the first basket for the Tigers at the 17:51 minute mark. The Gorloks scored the next nine points before Iowa Wesleyan was able to get another basket. Brian Patterson stopped the run with a layup with just over 13 minutes remaining.

Avree Clark hit a three-pointer for Iowa Wesleyan with 11:13 left to play to bring the score to 61-37. The Tigers had another offensive drought, this time the scoreless stretch lasted for nearly three minutes. Jake Neubauer hit a three pointer for IW to finally break the dry spell and bring the Webster lead to 26 points. Alberto Torres followed with a three pointer of his own to cut the lead to 23 points but that would be as close as the Tigers would get. Webster would defeat IW by a final score of 77-49.

Rebel led the Tigers in scoring with 16 points and Neubauer added 15 points. Austin Banks grabbed a team high six rebounds and dished out five assists without committing a turnover for IW.

Iowa Wesleyan will host Spalding University on Saturday, Jan. 26. It is also Tiger Athletic Appreciation Day in the Ruble this Saturday, with doors opening at 12 p.m. The men's game will tip off at 3 p.m., following the women's game. The Tigers are now 5-13 overall and 3-8 in conference play.