Lourdes opened 2018 with its first Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference victory of the season on Wednesday evening, as the Gray Wolves defeated the University of Northwestern Ohio 64-58 inside the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.
 
The Gray Wolves limited the Racers to 37.5% shooting from the floor, including just 4-of-21 (19%) from three point range, and held UNOH 20 points below their season scoring average, while increasing their winning streak to four straight regular season contests.
 
"I'm very proud of the guys and their effort tonight, especially on defense," head coach Josh Gibson said.  "There's no such thing as an easy win in conference play, especially in the WHAC, and it took us a few games to learn how much effort and execution it takes for 40 minutes to earn a victory.
 
Lourdes built an early 13-6 lead following a three-pointer by Clif Snow (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown H.S.) with 12 minutes to play in the opening half before the Racers responded with eight consecutive points to take their first lead of the game.  The lead would seesaw six times before halftime, but Malik Thurman's (Dayton, Ohio/Stebbins H.S.) triple in the final minute of the stanza put Lourdes in front 29-27 at the break, a lead the Gray Wolves would not relinquish.
 
The Gray Wolves extended their advantage with the first four points of the second half, and a Deuce Martin (Lorain, Ohio/Clearview H.S.) with 15:24 to play increased the advantage to eight, 42-34.  Lourdes would maintain at least a five-point advantage nearly the remainder of the game, and capped an 8-2 run with a triple from Evan Vasquez (Delta, Ohio/Delta H.S.) with 4:39 to play as the shot clock expired, putting the Gray Wolves on top by 11, 54-43, their largest lead of the game.
 
UNOH would cut the lead to four with two minutes to play, but another Martin triple and seven Lourdes free throws down the stretch secured the victory.
 
Snow led Lourdes with 14 points and 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season while Thurman added 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting.  Martin chipped in 10 points as three Gray Wolves finished in double figures.
 
Sadeeq Bello led Northwestern Ohio (9-8, 2-6 WHAC) with 15 points while Nathan Bradley added 10 for the Racers.
 
"Saturday will bring another hungry opponent who, like we feel about ourselves, is much more talented than their record," Gibson added.  "We will have to bring another 40 minutes of great effort if we want to beat Lawrence Tech."
 
Lourdes (8-9, 1-7) looks to return to the .500 mark for the season on Saturday afternoon as the Gray Wolves close out their four-game homestand hosting Lawrence Tech.  Tip time is set for 3 p.m. inside the Ebeid Rec Center.