ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Webster University men's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season hosting Illinois College Friday evening in Grant Gymnasium. The Gorloks battled the Blueboys but dropped this decision by the final score of 60-70. WU's Karl Moore Jr recorded his first double-double of the season with 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds while adding five blocks. 

Webster opened this non-conference decision in an early 5-0 deficit as IC's Buzz Ritzel scored five unanswered points. Moments later, the first WU basket of the season was recorded by forward Justin Ugo at the 16:25 mark on a battled-tested layup in the paint. Following the Ugo basket, the Blueboys countered with a 10-2 run that generated the deficit of 4-15. 

Just under 40 seconds later, WU's Gabe Mccrary collected a steal on the defensive end which led to free-throws for senior Alpha Diallo. After splitting the attempts, Moore Jr cut the deficit down to eight at 7-15 with a basket in the paint. Moments later, IC generated a double-digit deficit for Webster as the Blueboys stretched their lead to 15 on two separate occasions

With just under three minutes remaining in the first half, the Gorloks chipped back and cut the deficit down to four at 28-32 with a 10-0 run. In the run, Allen Grahovic and Ugo recorded four points each while Josh Luster contributed a fast break layup. With the late run, the Gorloks went into the halftime break down seven at 28-35. 

The Gorloks opened the second half with a 7-3 that cut the deficit down to three at 35-38. In the run, Gabe Mccrary knocked down a three-point basket and a basket in the paint while Jemard Sykes II capped it off with a basket in the paint. Moments later,  the Blueboys countered with a 11-0 run that was eventually snapped on a three-point basket by Jonah Hibbert that made the score 38-49.  

Midway through the second half, the Gorloks cut the deficit down to eight at 47-55 with a 6-2 run that started on a free throw from Ugo.  Also in the run, Allen Grahovic netted a three-point basket while Moore Jr made a highly-contested basket in the paint. Less than two minutes later, Grahovic netted his second three-point basket of the game that cut the deficit down to seven at 50-57. 

With less than six minutes left on the game clock, Webster and IC exchanged points which included a basket by Moore Jr and six free-throws made by the Gorloks. At the line, Will Burroughs went four-of-four while Ugo and Moore added one reach to the score. WU's Mccrary closed out the Webster scoring with a fast-break layup with less than minute to go that generated the final score. 

For the game, Moore and Grahovic led the Gorloks with 13 points each while Ugo contributed eight. Defensively, Grahovic led with three steals while Burroughs picked two. 

The Gorloks will continue non-conference play this Sunday, November 10 hosting Rhodes College at 4:00PM in Grant Gymnasium.