Notre Dame falls short vs. Wildcats

~ Westminster hung on for a 58-56 win and its 14th straight victory.

ST. LOUIS -- The Westminster Christian Academy girls basketball team extended its winning streak to 14 games Saturday afternoon.

But it didn't come without a big scare from Notre Dame. The Bulldogs never led in the game, but they tied the score twice in the fourth quarter before falling 58-56 in west St. Louis County.

"They didn't get to be 16-1 [actually 18-1 now] for nothing," Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim said. "We pulled ourselves out of a big hole and had a chance to win it at the end. They made some free throws down the stretch and we missed some. I just hope that the girls learn something from this game."

The Wildcats jumped to a 9-2 lead in the first quarter and had a comfortable 26-15 halftime advantage as Notre Dame had only four field goals and 15 turnovers in the opening half.

"This team always shows great effort," Grim said. "Sometimes we don't play smart and that was the case in the first half."

Notre Dame caught a break when Katie Maurer, the all-time leading scorer at Westminster, picked up her third foul with just 4 seconds remaining in the first half. Maurer then was called for her fourth foul in the first minute of the second half. Maurer was taken out of the game and Notre Dame was able to get to within six points, as Kristain Burger scored seven points in the first four minutes of the second half.

Maurer was reinserted into the game and helped Westminster to a 13-point advantage. But she fouled out on an offensive foul with 1:21 to go in the third quarter with the Wildcats ahead 38-29.

"I felt we had to Katie back in there and fortunately we were able to build somewhat of a cushion when she was in," Westminster coach Barry Maurer said. "It got tight there at the end but we were able to hold on for dear life."

Notre Dame seemed to have all of the momentum after Burger hit a free throw with no time remaining in the third quarter. The Bulldogs trailed by just four points and were already in the double bonus.

The Bulldogs finally pulled even when Burger, who scored 21 points in the second half, hit a basket with 5:20 to go. Westminster regained the lead but Burger tied it for the last time at 49-49 with 2:20 to play.

Westminster's Stephanie Brown answered with a three-point play and Westminster iced it at the free throw line, converting 12 of its 15 tries.

"It was really difficult once Katie went out of the game," Westminster sophomore guard Leah Beck said. "She provides leadership and is so important on both ends of the court. We just all had to step it up."

Westminster had four players finish in double figures, led by Brown's 16 points.

On the other side, there was no balance at all for the Bulldogs. Burger and Merideth Medlin combined for 50 points as Burger had 28 and Medlin 22. The other players scored a combined six points, as Notre Dame had its four-game winning streak stopped and fell to 13-7 for the season.

"I am sure it was a great game to watch from the stands," Grim said. "It was a tough loss but we have to learn from it and get ready for a big game Monday."

That's when the Bulldogs will try to clinch the SEMO Conference title by beating Dexter.

Westminster 58, Notre Dame 56

Notre Dame 9 6 21 20 -- 56

Westminster 12 14 14 18 -- 58

NOTRE DAME (56) -- Kristain Burger 28, Meridith Medlin 22, Emily Brumitt 3, Brooke Beussink 2, Paige Schumer 1. FG 16, FT 23-27, F 25 (3-pointers: Medlin 1. Fouled out: Burger, Beussink).

WESTMINSTER (58) -- Stephanie Brown 16, Leah Beck 11, Katie Maurer 11, Jessie Menchak 10, Jill Ridderbos 9, Alli Perry 1. FG 17, FT 24-32, F 25 (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: Maurer, Calen Caple, Menchak).