Starting for the first time this year, Peffer had 27 points. It was his second 20-point game and the most by any Red Devil player this season.
"This (starting line up) was as close as any we've had to finding it, but we're still trying to solidify our line up," said Eureka coach Jay Bruer. "Peffer has certainly earned it (starting). We talked to him and thought he could handle it."
The first half was back-and-forth with eight ties and four lead changes. Eureka (2-3) went on a 9-2 run over a 3:08 span that gave the Red Devils their largest lead of the opening stanza at 31-24 with 5:08 left in the half. Two of Peffer's five threes came late in the first half to keep EC in front 39-34 at halftime.
Darrin Hoggatt had 22 points in the first half for Webster (0-5), but was held to only one field goal in the second half before fouling out with 3:43 remaining. He finished with 29.
The Gorloks took the lead on two occasions in the second half and owned a 62-61 lead when the Red Devils went on a decisive 13-2 run to take their largest lead, 74-64, at the 3:42 mark. EC went 7-8 at the foul line the rest of the way to close out a seven-point triumph.
Eureka had just 10 turnovers in the game and held the advantage on free throws (21-28) to (13-23). Richard scored 19 for EC, while Mike Trotter had 10. Freshman Brady Wildenradt dished out five helpers and no turnovers.
"This was a very timely win for us," said Bruer. "It was an extremely good team effort. We did a better job on the details...getting to loose balls, setting good screens and had better defensive effort overall."
Webster barely outshot Eureka 45 percent (29-65) to 44 percent (28-64), but went 5-20 behind the arc. Christian Basilio had 16 points.
The Red Devils take on the team that defeated Webster last year in the SLIAC tournament championship game Saturday Dec. 3 when they visit Blackburn College. Tip off is slated for 7:00 p.m.