LOUISVILLE, Ky.- The Spalding University Women's basketball team outlasted Webster University, 58-56, in an even contest that came down to the final possessions of the game. Spalding improves 11-4 overall and 5-3 in SLIAC play.
 
Brandy Hunter had a strong output tallying 17 points with 12 in the second half alone. She added five rebounds and two assists to go along with the scoring outburst. Mackenzie Myers added 10 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Alex Martin went for 11 points and five assists.
 
The first quarter was an even contest throughout. Maya Hardin opened the scoring for Spalding and gave the team a 3-2 lead by burying a three point jumper. Kelsey Miller of Webster would answer right back with a three pointer of her own pushing the Webster lead back to three. Alex Martin would hit a jumper midway through the quarter to tie the game at seven. Four trips to the line would result in an 11 all game late in the first. The quarter would finish 14-14.
 
Mackenzie Myers would hit a three pointer to cap a 5-0 run by Spalding giving them a 19-14 lead. After a constant power struggle, Alex Martin would hit a jumper to give Spalding 26-22 lead. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the half, Julie Skaggs would hit a lay up to bring the halftime score to 28-26 and would ultimately prove to be the difference.
 
Early in the third, the Gorloks Nadine Vaughn would level the score. After trading baskets back and forth, Mackenzie Myers would hit her second three point field goal to manufacture a 35-32 Spalding lead. A Gorlok basket would cut the lead to one before Brandy Hunter would stake her claim behind the arc. Maya Hardin would hit two free throws to bring Spalding's tally to 40, while Megan Brandt would knock down a jumper to bring Webster's total to 38.
 
The final frame would again prove to be a power struggle as well as being a showcase for what both teams were capable of offensively. Julie Skaggs would start off the fourth with a jumper bringing the score to 42-38. A 6-1 run started by Mackenzie Myers' jumper would give Spalding their largest lead, 46-39. Webster would answer right back with an 8-2 run of their own capped off by Ashley Brooks three point field goal. The last ten points from Spalding would come from the free throw line. With a 58-53 score line, Alyssa Sapp would make a three at the buzzer to bring the final score to Spalding 58 and Webster 56.
 
The Spalding's women's basketball team will head to Carlinville, Ill. to take on Blackburn this Thursday the 21^st at 7 pm EST. The road trip will continue Saturday January 23^rd in Fulton, MO where they will face the Westminster Blue Jays with a 2 pm tip-off.