Fourth-Quarter Burst Lifts Webster Over Eureka, 79-62

WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. – Webster took its first lead of the second half at the 2:07 mark of the third quarter and erupted for 33 points in the fourth quarter to rally for a 79-62 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Eureka, Wednesday night at Grant Gymnasium in Webster Groves, Mo.

Josie Morgan (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) was 3-for-5 from 3-point range and a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line en route to a career-high 20 points. Olivia Falls (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington H.S.) and Samantha Sarnes (Havana, Ill./Havana H.S.) added 10 points apiece and Ashley Harfst (Saunemin, Ill./Pontiac H.S.) finished the contest with six steals.

Eureka never trailed in the opening period, leading by as many as seven when Morgan's 3-pointer gave the visitors a 13-6 advantage. The Red Devils' lead was 18-14 at the end of the first quarter.

The Red Devils led for much of the second quarter before WU moved in front for the first time (27-26) thanks to Jaysea Morgan's trey with 2:18 to play in the half. Josie Morgan answered with five consecutive points over the next 81 seconds and the Red Devils ultimately carried a 31-30 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Falls and Kennedy Dura (Edwards, Ill./Brimfield H.S.) opened the second half with baskets and the Eureka lead was two possessions as the 3:55 mark of the third quarter when Marissa Murphy (Canton, Ill./Canton H.S.) buried two free throws for a 41-36 cushion.

The Gorloks seized the momentum from that point forward, scoring 10 of the last 13 points in the third period to lead 46-44 at the end of the quarter. The Red Devils maintained their two-point deficit early in the fourth, but was limited to five field goals over the final 8:29 of the game. WU went 8-for-12 from the floor and made 15 of 16 free throws in the final period to pull away for the victory.

Eureka will return home for a non-conference game this Saturday at 1 p.m. against Principia at the Reagan Athletic Complex.