Jemard Sykes II
75
Winner Webster WEBSTR 9-7,8-1 SLIAC
71
Blackburn BLACKB 2-14,1-8 SLIAC
Winner
Webster WEBSTR
9-7,8-1 SLIAC
75
Final
71
Blackburn BLACKB
2-14,1-8 SLIAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Webster WEBSTR 44 31 75
Blackburn BLACKB 23 48 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kyle Jones

Gorloks Hold Off Second Half Comeback By Blackburn For Eighth Conference Victory

CARLINVILLE, Ill. - The Webster University men's basketball team concluded a two-game conference roadstand with a visit to Blackburn College Wednesday evening. The Gorloks held off a huge second half comeback by the Beavers for the 75-71 victory. With the victory, Webster improves to 9-7 overall and currently holds the top overall spot in the conference with an 8-1 record. 

In the opening minutes of play, Webster jumped out to an early 11-2 advantage that included seven points by Jemard Sykes II and baskets by Justin Ugo and Sebastian Reed. Moments later, the Gorloks increased their lead to 13 at 19-6 on back-to-back three-point baskets by Sykes II and Josh Luster. 

Approximately one minute later, Blackburn responded with a 5-0 run that cut the lead down to eight at 19-11. For the next several minutes of action, Webster and Blackburn exchanged baskets that pushed the score to a 28-20 Gorlok advantage. In that stretch, Reed contributed four points while Booker Simmons contributed three points as Sykes II added a basket

With just over five minutes remaining in the first half, Luster started a 14-0 run with a deep three-point basket. In addition to Luster, Reed and John Renken followed up with back-to-back baskets. With less than two minutes in the half, Ugo contributed three points while Allen Grahovic capped off the run with a three-point basket that increased the lead to 22 at 42-20. In the final seconds of the first half, Ugo cashed in on a layup that generated a halftime lead of 44-23. 

The Gorloks opened the second half scoring on their first possession of the half with a basket by Ugo. Immediately following the Ugo basket, Blackburn responded with a 13-3 run that cut the lead down to 12 at 48-36. At the 15:00 minute marker in the second half, the Beavers countered with a 9-2 run that cut the lead down to single-digits at 52-45. Moments later, Ugo responded with five consecutive points that increased the lead back to double-digits at 57-45. 

Midway through the second half, Blackburn erupted for a 15-2 run and took their first lead of the game at 60-59. With less than five minutes left in regulation, the Gorloks and Beavers traded baskets that pushed the score to a 67-65 deficit. Moments later, Reed added four straight points for the Gorloks that tied the game at 69 apiece.  

In the final minute of play and in a two-point deficit at 71-69, Ugo tied the game at 71 apiece with a layup when Reed gave the Gorloks the 73-71 advantage with a lay-in. WU's Sykes II closed out the game by sinking a pair of free-throws that generated the final score.  

For the game, three Gorloks achieved double-figures led by Ugo with a new career-high of 24 points while securing a team-high nine rebounds. In addition, Sykes II recorded 17 points while Reed contributed 16 points. As a team, Webster outscored Blackburn 42-30 in points in the paint while capitalizing on 13 second chance points.

The Gorloks will continue SLIAC play hosting the Griffins of Fontbonne University on Saturday, January 25 starting at 3:00PM in Grant Gymnasium. 
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