(
Box Score)
Senior guard
Luke Niebrugge turned in a complete performance in guiding Webster to its first win of the season, beating the University of the Ozarks, 78-75, Saturday at Grant Gymnasium.
Niebrugge finished the contest with a game-high 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in the victory.
The Gorloks overcame a 10-point first-half deficit and a nine-point second-half margin to post the victory.
The key moment of the game came as WU converted a rare five-point possession midway through the second half that sparked the game-deciding 15-4 run. Senior
Steve Hrdlicka drained a three-pointer, while senior
Ryan Turk was fouled setting a screen. Freshman
Kevin Miller capped the possession with a short jumper to pull the Gorloks to within a pair.
Ozarks had a chance to tie the game after hitting a three-pointer with 26 seconds left to get to within one. Niebrugge eluded the attempted foul attempt for a lay-up to push the lead to three. Ozarks sharpshooter Andre Williams, who had connected on five three-pointers in the second half, missed with two seconds left and the Eagles couldn't get off another shot.
Turk chipped in with 14 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists, while the trio of Miller, Hrdlicka and
John Ortwerth all recorded 10 points in the victory.
Webster (1-1) returns to action Wednesday, December 3 as the Gorloks travel to Fulton, MO for the SLIAC opener at Westminster.
NOTES
- Kevin Miller reached double figures for the first time in his career, scoring 10 points in 17 minutes of action.
- The starting backcourt of Ryan Turk and Luke Niebrugge turned in heavy minutes, playing 37 and 31 minutes, respectively.
- Both teams had five players reach double figures in scoring.
- The Gorloks shot a blistering 55 percent from the field in the second half, and finished the game at 49.2 percent.
- Webster outrebounded the Eagles, 38-35.
- The Webster reserves outscored their counterparts, 26-10.
- Although the hauled down less offensive boards, Webster finished with more second-chance points - winning the battle, 17-8.
QUOTES
Head Coach Chris Bunch
"Obviously, it more fun winning than losing. John (Ortwerth) and Kevin (Miller) gave us 20 points inside today. When the post guys did a better job scoring inside ... We played a little harder defensively, especially down the stretch. Even when they hit a couple of three's and it looked like they were going to run away with it a little bit."
on Luke Niebrugge
"Somebody said to me earlier today, you should just put a camera on him to show people how to play hard. He plays hard on both ends of the floor, and does a lot of good things out there. Other players see how he plays hard and it makes them play harder.
on Kevin Miller
"He will have big nights and he will have nights where he struggles. It really depends on the type of team we are playing."
