The Blackburn College Men's Basketball Team battled all night but couldn't get over the hump in a season ending 85-77 loss to Webster University in front of a crowd over 1,000 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Semi-finals.  

Blackburn got out to a quick 10-6 lead early on the strength of two Christian Wagner three-pointers.  The game then tightened up and was close throughout the first half until Webster stretched the lead to a 45-36 halftime advantage.  Wagner had 13 first half points and Karson Hayes had 10 for Blackburn.  Webster shot 50 percent from the field in the first half on 17 of 34 shooting while Blackburn shot 36 percent on 12 of 33 shooting.

Blackburn closed the gap to 52-49 with 17 minutes to go on a Hayes three-pointer and the Beavers reduced the deficit to three points one more time before the Gorloks stretched their advantage to ten points after going on a 9-2 run to lead 63-53 with 13:24 to go. The Beavers were within eight with 6:21 to go but could not capitalize on a pair of Gorlok turnovers before Josh Johnson, the conference player of the year for Webster, drilled a three-pointer to stretch the Gorlok advantage to eleven points.

Blsackburn finishes the season with a 13-13 record after qualifying for a third consecutive conference tournament berth.

Hayes finished with 20 points in his final contest as one of the greatest players in Blackburn history.  Hayes finished with 1450 points in his career.  The game also marked the final contest for three-year starter Nigel Ferrell.

"Karson and Nigel were centerpieces for us making the tournament three years in a row," said Blackburn Head Coach Austin Kirby.  "They helped establish a winning culture and continued to help it grow daily.  They are two of the hardest working guys that I know and are exceptional talents," added Kirby.

Hayes was a two-time first team all-conference player, while Ferrell was third-team this year and a multi-year all-defensive team player.  "They worked their tails off and did everything that was asked of them.  They were coachable and exceptional mentors to the younger guys.  Most importantly, they are great people that are going to leave a remarkable impact in the next chapters of their lives.  They were my first seniors as a head coach and I'll always have a special place in my heart for them!," added Kirby.