By JONATHAN WEBB
By SAM DITTMANNSophomore Megan Willett dribbles past Lisa Julkowski from Dominican University. The Gorloks won their season opener 67-52 at Grant Gymnasium on Sunday, Nov.15. Their next game will be in Anderson, Ind., against Denison University on Nov. 20.
Redshirt freshman Tori Fenemor is finally healthy, and she couldn’t be happier about it.
Neither could her coach.
Fenemor, who missed almost all of last season with an ankle injury, opened the season with a 17-point, 10-rebound performance in the Gorloks’ 67-52 win over Dominican University on Nov. 15.
“It feels really good,” said Fenemor, a forward “I’m very proud of that game.”
Webster University coach Jordan Olufson has emphasized the importance of having a healthy Fenemor this season, after she hurt herself just four games into last season.
“Tori (is) a workhorse,” Olufson said. “She can anchor the post and get the points underneath to open up our shooters. She demands a lot of attention.”
With Fenemor collecting points in the paint, junior forward Katy Meyer was able to exploit the perimeter, sinking four of her first five three-point attempts. Meyer finished with 14 points.
Fenemor’s performance also offset a difficult shooting game for sophomore forward Ayrica Lockett, who finished three for 12 from the floor.
The Gorloks grabbed control of the game with six minutes remaining in the second half, gaining a double-digit lead that would eventually swell to 17.
The margin narrowed to eight with 1:54 left, as WU had clock management issues.
Included in Dominican’s short-lived scoring spree was a pair of three-point misses by Meyer that allowed for the Stars to create quick scoring opportunities.
“It felt like we were getting ready to knock the door down,” said Olufson, in reference to the 17-point lead. “Then we got real loose, got a little bit lazy, got a little bit tired. But they understand the importance of closing out teams and not letting them hang around. The big thing for us is going to be free throws.”
The Gorloks, who struggled for much of last year with their free-throw percentage, sank 18 of 31 attempts against the Stars.
Much of that was provided late in the second half by freshman point guard Maggie Zehner, who went nine for 12 from the line.
Zehner, who was on the court for 27 minutes in her first collegiate game, finished with 14 points and five assists.
Zehner said it took her a few minutes to settle into the season opener.
“Right before the game, I was nervous,” Zehner said. “But once I got to playing, I was fine.”
The win marked the Gorloks’ first season-opening victory since 2003, when WU defeated Marian College, 61-56.
“It breeds confidence,” Olufson said. “To win and do it really good defensively and score, you get the first jitters out of the way. Last year, we lost to North Central (College) and we were a little shaken. This gives us a little swagger.”
WU’s next game will be Friday, Nov. 20, when the Gorloks travel to Anderson, Ind., to take on Denison University in the opening round of the Anderson University Tip-Off Classic.
WU’s next home game will not be until Dec. 2, when the Gorloks take on Blackburn College in the conference opener.
