BEREA, Ky. – Webster University men's basketball opened its 2026-27 season on Saturday with an 80-66 road win over Berea College at the Seabury Center. A late first-half surge gave the Gorloks a 13-point halftime lead, and Webster never looked back.
Sebastian Reed led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-13 shooting. Charles Nelson added 13 points and four assists, while Jaylen Swinney knocked down four three-pointers on his way to 12 points and seven rebounds. Adam Painter also reached double figures, recording 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.
Webster got off to a good start, taking a 21-10 lead midway through the opening half. Berea quickly erased the deficit, scoring 13 unanswered points to move ahead 23-21 with just under seven minutes remaining.
After the Mountaineers extended their lead to 26-24, Webster took control. Reed converted a three-point play to put the Gorloks back in front and followed with two more baskets. Swinney added a pair of three-pointers in the final three minutes as Webster closed the half on a 21-6 run to take a 45-32 lead into the break.
The Gorloks kept Berea at a distance throughout the second half. Swinney connected from beyond the arc early in the period, while Painter added six points over the first 10 minutes. Berea continued to battle, but Webster had an answer whenever the Mountaineers threatened to cut into the lead.
Reed knocked down a three-pointer with 2:50 remaining to make it 71-57. Nelson followed with a layup and a three-pointer of his own, and Justin Ugo threw down a dunk in the final seconds to cap the 14-point win.
Kendall Horton gave Webster a boost off the bench with nine points and five assists. Ugo finished with nine points and five rebounds, while Nbaye Thiam chipped in five points and five boards.
Webster shot 42.6 percent from the field and finished with nine three-pointers. The Gorloks also collected 46 rebounds and 15 assists while holding Berea to 31.3 percent shooting, including a 7-of-33 performance from three-point range.
The Gorloks return to action Tuesday, November 17, traveling to Rolla, Missouri, for a 7 p.m. matchup against Missouri S&T.
