ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Webster University men's basketball team concluded the 2024 Webster Classic with a non-conference decision against Illinois Wesleyan University Saturday afternoon in Grant Gymnasium. The Gorloks faced a very talented squad in the Titans and fell by the final score of 44-70. WU's Josh Luster recorded a season-high of 17 points in the loss. 

Webster opened this decision with the possession that resulted in the first basket of the game by Jemard Sykes II. Moments later, the Titans responded with an 11-2 run that generated the score of 4-11 which included a basket by Sebastian Reed. Shortly later, Reed cut the deficit down to six at 8-14 with back-to-back baskets. IWU immediately answered with a 7-0 run that made the score 8-21. 

With less than ten minutes to go in the first half, the Gorloks cut the deficit down to 11 at 17-28 with three, three-points baskets from Cooper Kelley, Luster, and Jonah Hibbert. At the 4:43 mark, Luster cut the deficit down nine at 21-30 with four consecutive points. However, the Titans closed out the first half with a 6-0 run that generated the halftime score of 21-36.  

In the opening minute of the second half, the Titan added three quick points that made the score 21-39. Moments later, the Gorloks chipped back and cut the deficit down to nine at 32-41 with an 11-2 run. In the run, Sykes netted a three-pointer while Gabe Mccrary and Allen Grahovic added one basket each. Luster capped out the run with four points which included a pair of free-throws. 

In the next five and a half minutes of play, the Titans countered with an 11-0 run that was eventually snapped on a basket by Sykes II. Shortly later, Luster netted a pair of three-point baskets for his final baskets of the game. Sophomore Amarien Mohair closed out the scoring for the Gorloks with back-to-back baskets. 

For the game, Luster led the Gorloks with 17 points off the bench that included three-of-six from behind the arc. Sykes II contributed seven points while tying Luster with a team-high of five rebounds. Defensively, Sykes II collected a team-high two steals while Luster and Kelley recorded one block each. 

The Gorloks will open conference play hosting Westminster College on Tuesday, November 26 at 7:30PM in Grant Gymnasium.

With all four games complete, please see information below which is the All-Tournament MVP and Tournament Team picked by all four respective head coaches.  - Averaged 13.5 points, four rebounds, and five assists per game

                            2024 Webster Classic All-Tournament Team:

School	Name	Stats
Centre	Nolan Wahl	Averaged 10.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and two assists per game
Centre	Landen Hamilton	Averaged 13.5 points, four rebounds, and five assists per game
Illinois Wesleyan	Nick Roper	Averaged 11 points, three assists, and two rebounds per game
Illinois Wesleyan	Harrison Wilmsen	Averaged 10 points and six rebounds per game
Webster	Jemard Sykes II	Averaged 11 points, 6.5 rebounds, and four assists per game
Westminster	Walker Gohring	Averaged 13.5 points, four assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game