Bulldogs wind up in fourth

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Notre Dame boys basketball team showed the heart and determination that made it a Class 4 final four team in Saturday's third-place game at Mizzou Arena.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs (14-18) could not overcome a huge size advantage on the part of Westminster Christian and fell 67-61 to the St. Louis County school to finish fourth.

"Notre Dame's a proud school. They have a proud tradition," first-year Notre Dame coach Paul Hale said. "When I played, they were tough; when I coached in the 1980s, they were tough. We brought that tradition back, and we want to keep it there."

Unlike their semifinal game, the Bulldogs appeared loose and ready to play on Saturday. Notre Dame took care of the ball -- the Bulldogs turned the ball over just 11 times compared to 26 on Friday -- and displayed the pressure defense which helped it get to Columbia.

"We knew coming in we had to cause problems in the full-court situations," Hale said. "The only way we were going to beat a team with their size was to make it a full-court game and cause problems on the other end."

Notre Dame's strategy forced 21 turnovers, including 15 in the first half. With the help of that pressure, the Bulldogs were able to tie the game at the half and hold a lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Westminster (26-6) was able to overcome Notre Dame's press by getting the ball inside. With every starter standing taller than 6 feet, 3 inches, the Wildcats exploited their height advantage. Andy Wiele, a 6-7 post player, led Westminster with 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting.

"We had to get the ball back down inside. That's been our bread and butter all year long," Westminster coach Eric Bain said.

The Wildcats hurt the Bulldogs down the stretch on the boards. Westminster outrebounded Notre Dame 46-28, with two offensive rebounds leading to the basket that gave the Wildcats the lead for good with 3:21 remaining.

"If we could have played even or close on the boards, we would have won," Hale said.

Notre Dame was within four points several times in the closing minutes and even had a chance to make it a one-possession game with about 25 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs could not get some late shots to fall, and Westminster hit its free throws.

"Even though we were 14-17, we played like we were 20-0. We never give up," Notre Dame senior Jeremy Brinkmeyer said.

Bryce Willen led the Bulldogs with 18 points, his seventh straight playoff game scoring in double figures. Despite playing in just nine games this season after returning from his knee injury, Willen averaged close to 15 points.

Alex Ressel added 14 points and 14 rebounds despite giving up nearly 6 inches inside to Westminster's players. Jeremy Brinkmeyer scored 11 points for the Bulldogs.

"I'm proud to see him come around after a subpar scoring game yesterday," Hale said of Brinkmeyer.

Banks Estridge finished with 14 points for Westminster, and Josh Worrell added 11 points for the Wildcats.

Notre Dame will bring home its first state trophy since 1987, when the Bulldogs brought home a state title.

"I'm so proud of our season," Hale said. "We came from nothing to the final four. It says a lot of the kids I have."

WESTMINSTER 67, NOTRE DAME 61

Westminster 20 13 12 22 -- 67

Notre Dame 14 19 15 13 -- 61

WESTMINSTER (67) -- Andy Wiele 26, Banks Estridge 14, Josh Worrell 11, Andrew Miller 6, Jeff Ehrhardt 7, Matt Gregory 3. FG 25, FT 16-23, F 12 (3-pointers: Ehrhardt 1, Fouled out: Miller)

NOTRE DAME (61) -- Bryce Willen 18, Alex Ressel 14, Jeremy Brinkmeyer 11, Frankie Ellis 6, Abe Dirnberger 4, Mark Unterreiner 3, Kirk Boeller 3, John Eric Klein 2. FG 25, FT 7-11, F 20 (3-pointers: Brinkmeyer 1, Unterreiner 1, Willen 2, Fouled out: none)