SLIAC Game of the Week - Feb. 18
The SLIAC Game of the Week is a weekly feature that highlights a key match-up in the conference this week. This week's SLIAC Game of the Week is the Webster University and Westminster College men's basketball game on Wednesday, February 19th in Fulton, Mo.
At a
Glance
This week's SLIAC Game of the Week pits two teams in post-season
contention against each other as Webster, who is sitting in the
third spot for the SLIAC Tournament, travels to Fulton to face
Westminster, who is seeking to hold onto the final tournament
spot.
About
Webster
Webster comes into the game with a 15-7 overall record and are 12-3
in the SLIAC. They are coming off an 81-73 loss at Spalding on
Saturday, snapping a five game winning streak. The Gorloks are
currently one game behind tying for the top spot in the standings
but also hold a slim two game lead over Westminster who is in the
fourth spot.
Webster is averaging 74.0 points per game this season, third best in the conference. They are the top shooting team in the league, shooting 48.5 percent from the field. The Gorloks also get to the line with ease, averaging a league best 23.3 free-throw attempts per game. Reigning SLIAC Player of the Week Ahmad Smith leads the team in scoring at 16.9 points per game. The big man inside is Kevin Miller who is averaging 14.3 points nad 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 53-percent from the field.
About
Westminster
Westminster starts the week with a 14-9 overall record and a 11-5
conference mark. The Blue Jays fell to MacMurray 85-72 in their
last outing which broke a six game winning streak. Westminster is
holding onto the final spot in the SLIAC Tournament, one game ahead
of Greenville.
Westminster is averaging 70.4 points per game, 6th in the SLIAC. They tend to shoot from the outside as they are second in the league in three-point attempts, three-point makes and three-point percentage. The Blue Jays have three players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by Joe James' 15.4 points per game. Verdis Lee Jr. is averaging 14.9 points per game while Brandon Moore is averaging 14.0 points per game.
Game Notes
- Webster leads the all-time series against Westminster 27-24
- Webster defeated Westminster 68-59 in their earlier meeting this season, on Jan. 9 in St. Louis, Mo.
- Westminster is 8-3 at home this season while Webster is just 4-5 on the road.
- Webster's Ahmad Smith has two 30-point games this season, recording both within the last four games.
- Westminster's Joe James has won the SLIAC Player of the Week three times this season.
