ELSAH, Ill. – The Webster University men's basketball team was back in action this afternoon when they traveled to Elsah, Illinois, to take on the Principia (Ill.) College Panthers for a SLIAC matchup. The Gorloks defeated the Panthers by a final score of 83-69 to improve to 10-11 on the season and 8-6 in conference play. With the loss, Principia drops to 5-16 on the season and 4-10 in conference play.

The Gorloks went an impressive 32-for-54 (59.3%) from the field and 10-for-17 (58.8%) from behind the arc. They outrebounded the Panthers by a final count of 36-25 with eight rebounds coming on the offensive end. They forced Principia to turn the ball over seven times in the game while recording four steals and five blocks.

Webster came out in the first half and found themselves trailing 10-0 in the first four minutes of the game. The Gorloks settled in as the half progressed and answered with a 12-0 run of their own to take their first lead of the contest. The Panthers would retake the lead on their next possession and held a five point advantage midway through the period. Webster would retake the lead with six minutes to play in the half, and then outscored the Panthers 12-4 over the next few minutes to put themselves up nine late in the frame. Principia would end the half on a 5-0 run but the Gorloks would take a 38-34 lead into the locker room.

Webster came out in the second half and quickly extended their lead to 17 in the first five minutes of the period. They continued to play well as the half progressed and pushed their lead to as many as 24 with eight minutes to play in the game. Principia would cut the lead back down to 18 late in the game but the Gorloks were able to hold them off down the stretch to solidify the win.

Jemard Sykes II had a great game for Webster as he finished with a career high 24 points after going 9-for-10 (90.0%) from the field and 6-for-6 (100%) from behind the arc. Jason Coleman and Alpha Diallo also finished in double figures as they each added 12 points. In addition, Karl Moore Jr. led the team with nine rebounds while Nate Jones finished with 12 points.

The Gorloks will return to the court on Wednesday, February 7^th when they host the Blackburn (Ill.) College Beavers for a SLIAC matchup. The game is set to start at 7:30 p.m. in Grant Gymnasium.