BABSON PARK, Fla. (December 19, 2018) – The Webber International University men's basketball team earned its fifth win in a row with a tight 85-81 victory over NCAA Division-III Fontbonne University on Wednesday during the third and final day of the Webber Christmas Shootout.

Unlike the Warriors' last three wins that all came by a margin of over 20 points, this one came down to the wire as Webber had to survive a comeback attempt that saw the Griffins turn a 13-point second half deficit into a one-point lead with 3:22 left to play.

Austin Evans answered the Griffins' 8-0 run to get that lead with a pair of free throws to put Webber up 77-76 with 3:14 left, and then 22 seconds later Nicholas Blocker converted on two free throws of his own to make it 79-76.

After two free throws by the Griffins, a layup by Malik Morrow made it 81-78 Warriors, and then after another Fontbonne free throw, a layup by Rasheem Etienne made it a two-possession game at 83-79 with only 1:29 to go.

That, is where things got really interesting as after a layup by the Griffins again made it a one-score game at 83-81 with 41 seconds left, Webber had a chance to get it back to a two-possession game with little time remaining.

However, a missed jumper by Etienne with 17 seconds left followed by a Webber foul sent the Griffins' Carter Otwell to the free throw line down only two, but with only three seconds left.

Otwell missed the first free throw attempt, and was then forced to miss the second on purpose in the hopes of an offensive rebound, but Tommie Luke came up big, grabbing the ball off the rim and hitting his two free throws with only one second left to seal the Griffins' fate.

In all, Luke scored 23 of his game-high 35 points in the second half, and finished 13-of-23 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. It was the second highest scoring output of the season for Luke, who also added seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.

Luke's former high school teammate, Austin Evans, was next in scoring for the Warriors with 13 points on 40 percent shooting from the field and a 4-for-4 mark from the free throw line. He was only one rebound shy of his fourth double-double of the season with nine boards.

Malik Morrow was the third Warrior in double figures in scoring, finishing with 10 points on two 3-pointers while adding five rebounds and two blocks.

Simon Fransis also added seven rebounds, his second most so far this year. Etienne finished with seven points, Kevin Grace also had seven points and added six boards, and Blocker had five points on a 6-for-7 mark from the charity strip with three assists.

Webber improved to 9-7 overall and 8-3 in nonconference games during the regular season while Fontbonne fell to 4-7 with its fourth defeat in a row.

"I am very excited at the way we have responded the last five games," spoke Head Men's Basketball Coach Allen Corbin. "I think we are buying in and getting better every day. My staff has been incredible in preparing the team and getting things done during this stretch. I cannot express enough appreciation or thank them enough. I also want to thank our administration, table crew and sports information department for all of their hard work on the holiday break. Merry Christmas to all and god bless."

When Webber returns from Christmas Break for the New Year, it will return to Sun Conference action against St. Thomas University at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 3. The Warriors will then come back home to the Sabbagh Athletic Center for a 4 p.m. tipoff against conference foe Florida Memorial University on Saturday, January 5.