(Blackburn Game Notes)

Maybe the time off was just what the Gorloks needed.

Mired in the midst of a four-game losing streak, Webster embarked on a two-week hiatus - thanks to winter vacation - and hopefully can return to the form that had them streak through SLIAC action unblemished just a year ago.

"Hopefully the break has served to recharge us a little bit mentally," said head coach Chris Bunch. "I believe that the team is ready to make a strong push in the second half of the season."

During the break, the Gorloks have returned to basics in practiced and worked on improving on a regular basis. If anything, the pre-conference losses taught the team about how to proceed without a true experienced post presence. 

"I feel that we are slowly making strides," said Bunch. "The guys realize the areas that we need to improve on; now it is just a matter of them taking the steps to make that improvement happen."

Junior forward John Ortwerth has stepped up to the challenged, especially after the loss of freshman Kevin Miller, who was lost to the season with an injury. Ortwerth is averaging nearly eight points per game, and will have to become more of a post threat to take some pressure off senior Ryan Turk and the rest of the perimeter players. Turk is the only player scoring in double figures with a team-high 15.9 points per contest.

The first opportunity toward regaining some of their lost swagger comes Saturday when the Gorloks travel to Blackburn for a SLIAC battle. Both teams enter the game looking for their first conference win of the season.  

"I expect that everyone will see us executing better on offense and making fewer mental mistakes on defense," said Bunch. 

A Webster win would help the Gorloks avoid their first 0-3 start since opening league play at 0-4 in the 2003-04 season. Things turned out okay for Webster that season as WU rebounded to post an 8-6 conference record.

"I hate to say that the third conference game is a "must win,"  and I don't think an 0-3 start makes it impossible to make the tournament, but it definitely makes it tougher," said Bunch.