Josh Luster
56
Cent. Christian Bib. CCB 2-2
101
Winner Webster WEBSTR 4-5,3-0 SLIAC
Cent. Christian Bib. CCB
2-2
56
Final
101
Webster WEBSTR
4-5,3-0 SLIAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Cent. Christian Bib. CCB 27 29 56
Webster WEBSTR 46 55 101

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kyle Jones

WU’s Luster and Reed Achieve New Career-Highs In Dominant Victory Over Saints

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Webster University men's basketball team opened the 2024 Webster Classic with a non-conference decision against Central Christian College of the Bible Friday evening in Grant Gymnasium. The Gorloks extended their win streak to four games by scoring triple-digits in a dominant victory over the Saints by the final score of 101-56. 

WU's Josh Luster achieved a new career-high with 32 points while shooting five-of-eight from behind the arc. In addition, sophomore Sebastian Reed recorded new career-highs in points and rebounds with 20 points and eight rebounds. 

In the opening minutes of play, the Gorloks jumped out to an early 9-0 advantage that forced a timeout by Central Christian. In the run, Reed contributed four points while Luster knocked down his first three-point basket of the night as Justin Ugo added a layup. After back-to-back baskets by Reed, Luster increased the lead to double-digits at 17-7 with a layup. 

Less than a minute later, the Gorloks erupted for a 14-2 run that started on back-to-back three-point baskets by Jemard Sykes II. Moments later, senior Karl Moore Jr. knocked down a pair of free-throws as Luster followed up with four consecutive points that included a three-point basket. The run was capped off with a mid-range jumper by Reed that made the score 31-11.

In the latter portion of the first half, Webster and Central Christian traded baskets that generated the score to 41-24. The Gorloks closed out the first half on a 5-3 run that included baskets from Luster and Reed while Ugo added a free-throw which generated the halftime lead of 46-27.  

The Gorloks opened the second with a 7-3 run that featured five straight points by Luster and a pair of free-throws by Ugo that made the score 53-30. Moments later, the Saints answered with a 7-0 run that cut the lead down to 16 at 53-37. At the 15:38 mark, the Gorloks erupted for a 13-2 run that started on five consecutive points by Ugo that included three free-throws. Moments later, Luster added six more points to his career-night as Moore Jr added a layup that generated the score to 66-39. 

Less than a minute later, Webster added a 15-1 run that started on a layup by Alpha Diallo. Seconds later, Luster added five points that included another three-point basket and a mid-range jumper. In addition, Reed added four more points to his night while Moore Jr cashed in a lay-in. Sykes II capped off the run with a layup that made the score 81-42.

With less than six minutes left to go in regulation, first-year John Renken scored his first collegiate basket with a layup. On the next two Gorlok possessions, sophomore Amarien Mohair secured two baskets. At the 4:13 mark, WU's Jalen Davis scored his first basket of the season with a deep three-point basket. Moments later, first-year Logan Blackledge earned a visit to the free-throw line where he recorded his first collegiate point as a Gorlok. In the final two minutes of play, Andrew Hall and Jacob Schafer recorded their first baskets of the season as Hall contributed a layup while Schafer drained a three-point basket. 

For the game, the Gorloks had four student-athletes achieve double-figures in scoring led by Luster with 32 points while Reed added 20 points. In addition, Ugo and Sykes II rounded out the double-figure scorers with 13 and 11 points respectively. 

At the glass, Reed led the team with eight rebounds while Moore Jr secured seven. Defensively, Reed and Gabe Mccrary recorded three steals each as Nkosi Constant achieved a career-high two blocks. 

The Gorloks will close out tournament play on Saturday, December 14 hosting the Fighting Scots of Monmouth College starting at 3:00PM in Grant Gymnasium. 
Print Friendly Version