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BOX SCORE)
The comeback kids were at it again. For the third time this season, Webster turned a halftime deficit into a victory.
Webster shot 56 percent from the field in the second half, scoring 50 points, in posting the come-from-behind non-conference victory over Robert Morris Wednesday, 68-59, in Grant Gymnasium.
While its the offense that gets most of the credit, the switch from a 2-3 zone into a 3-2 zone provided the biggest boost for the Gorloks. The switch forced the Eagles to take more long-range jumpers - of which they converted just 1-of-12 from behind the arc and shot 10 percentage points lower in the second half.
The second-half antics are becoming almost a trademark of the youthful Gorloks as they are averaging 15 more points in the second 20 minutes than in the first.
Robert Morris' full-court press gave Webster fits in the first half, forcing WU to play faster than they intended. The result was some forced shots and turnovers. But they regrouped at the half and dictated the tempo in the second half.
Junior
Julie McGirl led Webster with a season-high 21 points and 11 rebounds, her second double-double of the season, and the fourth in a row for the Gorloks. Sophomore
Katy Meyer added 12 points and eight rebounds. McGirl and Meyer each distributed a team-high three assists.
Freshman Courtney Brown chipped in with 11 points as freshman
Ayrica Lockett was tied for the team-high with 11 boards.
NOTES
- It's the team's third win in six attempts when trailing at halftime.
- Julie McGirl's 21 points is one point off her career-high of 22, set February 17, 2007 against Principia.
- Webster has won four of the last five with all four wins coming at Grant Gymnasium. The Gorloks are 4-1 at home and 1-2 away from Grant.
- The Gorloks made more free throws (21 on 30 attempts) than Robert Morris attempted (14 attempts).
- Robert Morris committed 23 fouls, compared to nine by Webster.
- Freshman Bobbiann Auer tied her career-high with 13 minutes and four points.
- Sophomore Katy Meyer has reached double figures in three straight games and four of the last five.
- Freshman Courtney Brown has reached double figures in four straight games.
- Webster is now 3-1 when they outrebound an opponent.
QUOTES
Head Coach Jordan Olufson
on the switch to a 3-2
"They were getting too many shots in the middle. We thought if we got longer on the perimeter, than maybe they wouldn't look to it - and it worked for us."
on the second half
"They dictated the game in the first half. We wanted to play fast, but at our speed. To play the way we wanted to play, we had to be more aggressive and I thought we responded well."
on the play of Julie McGirl
"She was everything out there, inside and outside. Her inside scoring kept their players from doubling. She affected everyone play offensively and grabbed some key defensive rebounds."
on breaking the press and getting to the line
"We knew, if we could break down their press, we could get in halfcourt and get to the line. We executed our dribble drives and dribble dumps well. ... Coach (Mike) Stawski and coach (Angel) Sadler did a great job in getting us prepared for the traps and pressure."
