BABSON PARK, Fla. (January 16, 2020) – The Webber International University men's basketball team won for the first time in Sun Conference play in 2020, defeating Thomas University 84-79 in overtime behind a pair of double-doubles from Javonni Quince and Jaylon Myles on Thursday night inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center.

It was a battle of two of the three teams that began the day tied for seventh place in The Sun Conference Men's Basketball standings. With the win in what was also the first home conference game of the New Year for Webber, the Warriors got back above .500 overall on the season at 10-9 and improved to 3-5 in The Sun Conference, snapping a three-game TSC losing skid in the process. As a lot of teams are, the Warriors have been much more effective at home so far this season, improving to 6-3 on their home court with the win on Thursday, giving Webber a current five-game winning streak inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center.

Thomas, meanwhile, fell to 5-11 and 2-6 while suffering what was its third straight TSC loss. It was only the second win for the Warriors over the Night Hawks during year three of the tenure of Head Coach Allen Corbin, snapping a three-game losing streak for Webber against Thomas.

For Quince, it was his fourth double-double of the season as he finished with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. He also approached triple-double territory by adding in a game-high seven assists, the third time this season he has reached that mark in helpers.

For Myles, it was his first career double-double as he finished with 10 points and a career-best 10 boards.

The leading scorer in the game was Tommie Luke with 24 points on three 3-pointers. Ariel Watson was next with 17 points on two makes from long range, and Rasheem Etienne added seven points.

Just like Quince and Myles, Chetachukwu Oliver also reached double-digits in rebounds with 10 while Joel Coffey Jr. was close, finishing with seven boards to go along with four blocked shots.

The Warriors led by as much as 10 points in both halves of the contest but were unable to keep it from going into overtime as the Night Hawks used a gorgeous set play from the sideline to get a layup and tie the game at 67-67 with only six seconds left in regulation.

In the extra period, Webber scored first on a free throw by Quince but then fell behind at 70-68 following a 3-pointer by Thomas.

Fortunately, the Warriors answered back on their very next possession as Watson connected on a 3-pointer of his own to give Webber back the lead at 71-70.

The Warriors would then never surrender the lead as a fast break dunk by Tommie Luke made it a five-point margin at 75-70 with 2:46 left before another three by Watson made it 78-71 with 1:53 to go.

Over the last 1:43 of the game, Thomas went 6-for-6 from the free throw line to crawl back into it and make it a three-point game at 82-79 with only six seconds left, but again Watson came up big as he sank two free throws to end it.
 
The Warriors will next battle at the College of Coastal Georgia in another TSC matchup at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, in Brunswick, Georgia.