DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 25, 2018) – The 2018-19 Webber International University men's basketball season is nearly underway as the Warriors battled NCAA Division-II Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in an exhibition matchup on Thursday night at the ICI Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Warriors put up a valiant effort but fell to the Eagles by a final score of 103-86.

The Warriors saw four players finish in double-figures, led by Tommie Luke with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting and followed by newcomer Simon Fransis with 15 points on 3-of-8 shooting from 3-point range.

Fransis was one of three Warriors with three 3-pointers as Garrett Woodmansee was 3-for-3 from long range and 4-for-5 overall for 13 points, all of which came in the first half, and newcomer Kevin Grace was 3-for-5 from three with 12 total points.

Webber led 20-17 with 12:14 to go in the first half, and kept it close at the intermission down by only nine at 47-38.

Webber's largest lead was three in the first half while ERAU led by as much at 14 during the opening 20 minutes.

The Warriors then began the second half with a big 15-9 run in the first two and a half minutes of the period to bring themselves to within three at 56-53.

After a close first 30 minutes of action, ERAU began to pull away with 10 minutes remaining, taking an 85-70 lead with 10:06 left and then stretching the lead to 17 at 87-70 with only 8:53 to go.

In all, Webber shot 46 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range with 11 3-pointers. The Warriors were also a very impressive 19-of-26 from the free throw line compared to nine makes for ERAU on only 11 attempts.

Head Coach Allen Corbin is in his second year leading the Warriors.

"I saw lots of positives and negatives tonight," said Corbin. "It is very early and I am happy with where we are as of today. We must continue to bring our hard hats to work every day and keep getting better. We will watch this film and grow from it. I am excited to see where this group will be in a month or so."

Webber men's basketball will open its new season in one week with the Trinity Baptist College Tip-off Tournament scheduled for Friday, November 2, and Saturday, November 3, in Jacksonville, Florida. The Warriors will battle St. Andrews University at 3 p.m. on Friday and will then take on Southeastern Baptist College at 12 p.m. on Saturday.