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VALDOSTA, Ga. (November 25, 2017) – The Webber International University men's basketball team took to the court for the first time in five days and played its second of three consecutive exhibition games against an NCAA opponent. On Saturday, the Warriors put up a strong fight in the second half before ultimately falling to the University of West Florida, 79-66, on day one of the Valdosta State University Thanksgiving Classic.

Webber's record remained at 3-2 overall as the exhibition contest only counted towards West Florida's overall record. The Argonauts, an NCAA Division-II team from Pensacola, Florida, and the Gulf South Conference, remained undefeated on the year at 6-0.

On Saturday, the Warriors stayed within striking distance throughout the first half and entered the locker room at halftime facing only a 10-point deficit at 35-25. Webber then kicked off the second half with a 12-5 run to draw within one score at 40-37 with just over 16 minutes left to play.

A fast break layup by Rasheem Etienne with 13:36 on the clock made it a two-point game at 41-39, and then the Warriors got back to within two points once again at 46-44 after a 3-pointer and a fast break dunk, both by Osandai Vaughn, with 11 and a half minutes remaining.

A 15-7 run by West Florida over the next five minutes made it a nine-point game at 61-52 in favor of the Argonauts.

Two free throws from Vaughn followed by two by Nikita Orap got it back to a five-point margin at 66-56 with five minutes to go before seven straight points by West Florida over the next minute plus of action pushed the contest in the Argonauts favor for good.

"I am quite happy with our effort overall today," said Head Coach Allen Corbin. "We still need to continue to improve offensively and on the glass. Today we saw great efforts from OV [Vaughn], Sheem [Etienne], Nikita [Orap] and Tommie Luke. Hopefully we continue to grow and we play well tomorrow."

Vaughn led both teams in scoring with 27 points, 22 of which came in the second half, and tied for the game-high with nine rebounds. He was 5-for-7 from 3-point range and 6-for-9 from the field in the second half. Luke was next in line with 11 points, followed by Etienne and Austin Evans with eight apiece and Orap with seven.

The Warriors finished with 26 made free throws as a team as five Warriors converted on four or more tries from the charity stipe.

Webber will return to the same court tomorrow, November 26, to face tournament host Valdosta State University at 4 p.m. in what will be the fourth of six exhibition games on the season for the Warriors.