GAME 2: Notre Dame 78, Woodland 42

By Rachel Crader ~ Special to Semoball.com

In the days leading up to the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament, Notre Dame coach Kevin Roberts gave his players a "good Christmas present," according to senior Austin Greer.

The Bulldogs first-year coach gave his players both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off from practice.

"We didn't practice for two days, so I think we were a little bit out of shape, but we did OK," Greer said. "We definitely did not play that great."

Great or not, the No. 2 seed Bulldogs had little trouble in their first-round game Friday at the Show-Me Center, defeating Woodland 78-42.

"It went all right," Roberts said. "We came out a little slow, and we eventually picked it up. I guess it was a little early for us, but we eventually got going and we started guarding a lot better."

Despite the lopsided final score, Roberts said his team was challenged by the game plan employed by Woodland coach Josh Eftink.

"Against our match-up zone, there are some things that they really attacked that we definitely need to work on, and it really showed us what we need to do to get better," Roberts said. "It was a very good wake-up call for us."

Greer led Notre Dame with 15 points while John Unterreiner scored 14.

"It's nice to get the first game," Unterreiner said. "It's nice to get to come back and play on this court, and it's a good atmosphere. We're looking forward to the next round."

The Bulldogs will face either Advance or Bell City in the second round on Saturday at 6 p.m.

WOODLAND (42) -- Mitchell Woods 4, Josh Hahn 8, Devon James 6, Corey Chapman 2, Kyle Reynolds 11, Sheldon Gregg 3, Neil Johnson 6, Logan McCarty 2. FG 16, FT 8-11, F 10. (3-pointers: Hahn 2. Fouled out: none.)

NOTRE DAME (78) -- Nick Koeppel 4, Liam Maher 3, Keke Kellum 2, Taylor Essner 2, Alex Bader 8, John Unterreiner 14, Austin Greer 15, Tanner Hiett 7, Jacob Tolbert 3, Joseph Tolbert 3, Matt Helle 11, Dylan Essner 6. FG 33, FT 9-15, F 17. (3-pointers: Bader 1, Unterreiner 1, Joseph Tolbert 1. Fouled out: none.)