Men's Basketball 11/16/2024 11:03:00 PM Kyle Jones

Men’s Basketball Drop In-State Decision To Columbia College

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Webster University men's basketball team went on their first road trip of the season to Columbia College for a non-conference decision Saturday afternoon. The Gorloks battled the Cougars but fell short in the in-state decision by the final score of 76-66.

The Gorloks opened this non-conference with a slow start that resulted in an early 16-5 deficit as the baskets came from Justin Ugo and Josh Luster. Shortly later, junior Allen Grahovic cut the deficit down to nine at 21-12 with back-to-back baskets which included a deep three-pointer. Four minutes later, at the 7:44 mark, Jemard Sykes II cut the deficit to seven at 22-15 with a successful three-point basket. Moments later, the Cougars responded with a 6-0 run that was eventually snapped on a pair of free-throws by Ugo that made the score 28-17.

With less than four minutes remaining in the first half, first-year John Renken netted his first points in a Gorlok uniform by sinking a pair of free-throws that made the score 33-19. On the final three Webster possessions of the first half, Jonah Hibbert, Luster, and Sykes II all netted three-point baskets that generated the halftime deficit of 39-28.

Columbia College opened the second half with back-to-back baskets that made the score 44-28. Moments later, the Gorloks chipped back with a 10-4 run that cut the deficit down to 10 at 48-38. In the run, Hibbert and Alpha Diallo added two-point baskets while Sykes II capped off the run with back-to-back three-point baskets.

Midway through the second half, the Cougars answered with a 7-3 run that made the score 63-45. Immediately following that run, the Gorloks erupted for a 12-0 run that cut the deficit down to six 63-57. In the run, Luster contributed eight points while Gabe Mccrary and Sykes added two points each.

For the next four and half minutes of play, Columbia College answered with a 13-5 run that made the score 76-62. In that stretch, Ugo netted a pair of free-throws while Hibbert knocked down another three-point basket. In the final two and a half minutes of regulation, the Gorloks scored the final four points of the game on a basket in the paint by Ugo and a pair of free-throws by Mccrary.

For the game, three student-athletes recorded double-digit scoring marks led by Sykes II with 18 points while Luster contributed 17 off the bench as Hibbert added 10. As a team, the Gorloks shot 84.6 percent from the free-throw line and outscored the Cougars 28-12 in bench points. Defensively, Webster held Columbia College to 20 percent from behind the arc.

The Gorloks will continue non-conference play hosting Washington University of St. Louis on Tuesday, November 19 starting at 7:00PM in Grant Gymnasium.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Alpha Diallo: F/G; 6' 3"; Senior

#31 Allen Grahovic: F/G; 6' 2"; Junior

#2 Jonah Hibbert: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#23 Josh Luster: F; 6' 3"; Graduate Student

#11 Jemard Sykes II: G; 6' 2"; Junior

#35 Justin Ugo: F/C; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#21 Gabe Mccrary: G; 5' 10"; Senior

#33 John Renken: F; 6' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Alpha Diallo
: 6' 3"; Senior
: F/G

#31 Allen Grahovic
: 6' 2"; Junior
: F/G

#2 Jonah Hibbert
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Josh Luster
: 6' 3"; Graduate Student
: F

#11 Jemard Sykes II
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G

#35 Justin Ugo
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: F/C

#21 Gabe Mccrary
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G

#33 John Renken
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: F