Box Score

BABSON PARK, Fla. – Webber International University men's basketball played host to Johnson & Wales, Wednesday night. After falling behind early, the Warriors bench led a valiant comeback but Webber International eventually lost, 76-75.

Webber International saw its bench post 57 points, led by Derian Fraga and Alberto Coderch. Fraga led all Warriors with 16 points on the night, closely followed by Coderch's 13.

The Warriors found themselves down early, with Johnson & Wales opening the game with a 21-2 run. With 11 minutes to play in the first half, the Warriors bench stepped up and began to chip away at the Wildcats' massive lead.

An 18-3 run by Webber International would cut the Wildcat lead, which was as high as 20 points, to just three points. Johnson & Wales found its rhythm again late in the half, pushing ahead by as many as 10. It was Coderch's hot hand that kept the Wildcats within striking distance, as the Warriors went into halftime down, 45-38.

Johnson & Wales opened the second quarter strong, scoring eight unanswered points in four minutes. Facing another double-digit deficit, Webber International's bench again provided a spark. A quick 11-2 run, led by Fraga's five, cut the Wildcat advantage back to single digits.

The two teams continued to battle, with Webber International slowly chipping away at what was a 20-point hole. With seven minutes left, a Fraga contested layup tied the game at 61-61. Two possessions later a perfectly executed inbounds play led to an and-one situation for Ronzell Evans, giving the Warriors its first advantage of the night, 64-61.

Strong free throw shooting would see the Wildcats retake the lead late in the game. Sam Auguste would score five points in the final 40 seconds, but it would not be enough as the Warriors fell to Johnson & Wales, 76-75.