AVE MARIA, Fla. (January 18, 2018) – The Webber International University men's basketball team took down Ave Maria University by 44 points, 94-50, on Thursday night at the Tom Golisano Field House, and it came in similar fashion to the Warriors first win over the Gryenes earlier in the season back in November.

Webber saw its record rise back to .500 at 8-8 overall and 5-5 in the conference with what was its third conference win in four Sun Conference games. The win also propelled the Warriors into a tie for fourth place in The Sun Conference standings with the College of Coastal Georgia and No. 15 Southeastern University. Ave Maria fell to 3-18 and 1-9.

The win gives Webber a 74-point advantage over Ave in two meetings this season. In the first meeting between the two teams this season on November 18. 2017, the Warriors defeated the Gyrenes by 30 (88-58) and led by 28 at halftime.

This time around on Thursday, Webber never trailed and led by 22, 44-22, at halftime after shooting nearly 50 percent (48.6 percent) from the field in the first half compared to only 20.7 percent shooting from the Gyrenes. The Warriors also led 16-4 in points in the paint at the half, but also had five 3-pointers under their belt to that point.

Webber finished the game shooting over 50 percent (50.7 percent) from the field, over 44 percent (44.8 percent) from three and over 86 percent (86.7 percent) from the free throw line. Ave was only 27.3 percent from the field, 18.8 percent from three and 73.7 percent from the free throw line.

The Warriors won the rebounding battle 49-24 and outscored the Gryenes 34-14 on points in the paint. Webber also dished out 13 assists compared to five for Ave, and made 13 3-pointers compared to only six for Ave, which started the contest ranked 40th in the country in total 3-pointers made and was 41st in 3-pointers per game with nine made per outing.

Nikita Orap scored 13 of his career-high 28 points in the first half and had three first-half 3-pointers. During the first meeting back in November, Orap again led the Warriors with 26 points while draining six three's in the first half and eight in total, the same number he finished with on Thursday.

Orap entered the game ranked 21st in all of the NAIA in three-point field goal percentage at 47.6 percent, and he and the Warriors saw that number rise on Thursday as he was 8-of-13 from downtown. Overall, Orap was 10-of-15 from the field, which was a career-high in both field goals made and attempted.

In all, Orap was one of six Warriors to set at least one new career-high on Thursday.

Other similar performances from the first meeting to the second for the Warriors included Garrett Woodmansee, who had nine points, two three-pointers and four assists during the first meeting in November and finished with a career-high 13 points with three 3-pointers and a career-high seven rebounds on Thursday; and Obi Romeo, who pulled down seven rebounds in the first meeting and had a career-high 13 boards with seven points on Thursday.

Osandai Vaughn, who entered the game ranked 26th in the country in scoring with an average of 20.5 points per game, finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, a career-high five steals and three assists.

Other solid efforts from the Warriors included Joseph Serrano, who finished with 10 points four rebounds and two steals; Nicholas Blocker, who had eight points, four rebounds, two steals and a career-high six assists; and Sheldon Durant, who had a career-high six rebounds and two steals.

Head Coach Allen Corbin said, "I am so proud of this team. They continue to battle and overcome adversity. We are learning a lot of life lessons along the way and that's what I am most excited about. Everyone who played tonight followed the game plan and gave all they had. My entire staff did a terrific job this week and I appreciate them so much. We have a quick turnaround and a very big game Saturday at home to prepare for."

Next up, Webber will look to ride its current wave of momentum as the Warriors welcome No. 15 Southeastern University into the Sabbagh Athletic Center on Saturday, January 20. The Fire defeated the Warriors by 31, 98-67, during the first meeting between the two teams on Thursday, November 16, 2017, but have lost five straight TSC contests after starting off 5-0 in the conference.