Josh Luster
64
Winner Webster WEBSTR 15-12,12-6 SLIAC
57
Spalding SU 18-8,16-2 SLIAC
Winner
Webster WEBSTR
15-12,12-6 SLIAC
64
Final
57
Spalding SU
18-8,16-2 SLIAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Webster WEBSTR 26 38 64
Spalding SU 31 26 57

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kyle Jones

Gorloks Second Half Rally Eliminates Spalding To Advance To SLIAC Championship Game

GREENVILLE, Ill. - The Webster University men's basketball team continued postseason play and faced off against Spalding University for the SLIAC Semifinals game Friday evening at Greenville University. The Gorloks overcame a halftime deficit with a strong second half that eliminated the Golden Eagles by the final score of 64-57 to advance to the SLIAC Championship game. With the victory, it marks the third time in the past four years the Gorloks have reached the SLIAC Championship game. 

In the opening minutes of action, the Gorloks jumped out to a 10-4 advantage that included a pair of three-point baskets by Josh Luster and layups by Alpha Diallo and Gabe Mccrary. Moments later, Spalding answered with an 8-0 run that generated the 12-10 deficit. Less than a minute later, the Gorloks countered with a 6-2 run that started on consecutive baskets in the paint by Justin Ugo and Sebastian Reed. St. Louis native Jemard Sykes II capped off the run with a pair of free-throws that put Webster back on top at 16-14. 

With less than nine minutes to go in the first half, the Gorloks constructed a 6-0 run on baskets by Karl Moore Jr., Reed, and Sykes II that stretched the lead to four at 22-18. At the 4:09 mark, the Golden Eagles answered with a 7-0 run that generated the 29-24 deficit. WU's Sykes II closed out the first half scoring for the Gorloks with a pair of free-throws that generated the halftime deficit of 31-26. 

Webster and Spalding opened the second half exchanging baskets that pushed the deficit to six at 39-33. At the 15:17 mark, the Gorloks erupted for a 11-0 run that started on another three-point basket by Luster. Moments later, Moore Jr knocked down a pair of free-throws when Reed followed up with three consecutive points. WU's Diallo capped off the run with a three-point basket that gave the Gorloks the 44-39 advantage. Less than a minute later, the Golden Eagles chipped back with a 6-2 run that cut the lead down to one at 46-45. 

With less than eight minutes to go in regulation, Webster stretched their lead to double-digits at 56-45 with a 10-0 run. In the run, Luster added four points while Diallo contributed three. In addition, Moore Jr cashed in on a basket in the paint while Sykes added a free-throw. In the final three minutes of regulation, the Gorloks closed out the game with four points by Diallo and two points each from Reed and Moore Jr that led to the victory. 

For the game, Luster recorded his second double-double of the season with team highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds. In addition, Diallo contributed 14 points while Reed added 11 points.

As a team, the Gorloks outrebounded the Golden Eagles 42-33 and scored 20 second-chance points. 

The Gorloks will travel back to Greenville University on Saturday, March 1 for the SLIAC Championship game starting at 7:00PM in Greenville, Illinois. 
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