Box Score DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's basketball team overcame a slow start to race past Webber International, 70-56, in Sun Conference play in a rare Monday night fixture at the ICI Center. The first meeting of 2012 between in the Eagles and the Warriors (Jan. 14) came down to a last second shot, but Monday's game was a more one-sided affair as the Eagles led from the tip and never looked back, improving their overall record to 15-8 and their league ledger to 6-3.
Embry-Riddle scored the first bucket of the contest, but for the next three and a half minutes, there appeared to be a lid on both baskets as both teams were a combined 0-for-13 during that stretch. Blake Touchard, who scored the first points of the game, broke the scoring drought at the 14:47 mark and scored eight of the Eagles next 13 points to help the Blue and Gold open up a 17-4 lead.
The Eagles were 41.9 percent (13-of-31) from the field in the first half, but were just 3-of-13 from beyond the arc. WIU was 0-for-2 in its three-point shooting. ERAU out-rebounded the Warriors 26-15 and the defense limited the visitors to just five made field goals in their 22 attempts to help ERAU to a 32-18 halftime lead.
The Eagles had a much stronger start to the second half than they did in the first, scoring 13 points on six of their first eight field goal attempts to push the lead to 23 points (45-22) with 16:30 left to play. Webber International's shooting woes continued in the opening minutes of the frame, which allowed the Eagles to build the lead to 26 (60-34) with 10:48 remaining.
At that point in the game, the tide began to turn slightly in the Warriors' favor. The Eagles turned the ball over eight times and connected on just three of their next 15 field goal attempts, which allowed WIU to whittle the lead down to 12 (66-54) with 1:48 left on the clock.
Despite the miscues, the Eagles still found a way to squelch the Warrior rally and didn't allow WIU to get and closer. Free throws by Touchard and a layup by DeForest Carter in the closing minute helped the Blue and Gold put the game away and helped solidify the Eagles' hold on fourth place in the conference standings.
Touchard was the game's high scorer with 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the field. Ray Graham collected his eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Gabriel Rutledge led the Warriors' effort with 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds as Webber International moved to 13-8 overall and 3-6 in conference play.
Warriors will be back in action on Thursday February 2, 2012 versus a Crooked Lake Rival, Warner University, in a conference match at the Sabbagh Athletic Center and the tip-off will be at 7 pm.
