AVE MARIA, Fla. (February 13, 2021) – The Webber International University women's basketball team earned its third win this season over Ave Maria University, but this time it came by only three points as the Warriors had to pull out a close 51-48 victory over the Gyrenes on Saturday afternoon.

After outscoring the Gyrenes 17-10 in the third quarter, the Warriors led by 10 at 44-34 entering the fourth quarter and then led it 45-34 on a free throw by LeAndra Franklin 20 seconds into the period.

However, Ave Maria came all the way back to tie it at 47-47 thanks to a 13-2 run that ended with four minutes left to play in the game.

Webber responded a minute later with a fastbreak layup by Dasia Wandick assisted by Franklin to go ahead 49-47, and then with less than two minutes remaining, Franklin came up with a steal and ensuing layup to make it 51-47.

After a free throw by the Gyrenes with only 51 seconds left made it 51-48, Ave Maria went for the tie with two 3-point attempts in the final 10 seconds of the game, but a defensive rebound by Rushell Jacob helped Webber finish it off.

The Warriors were only 3-for-14 (21.4 percent) from the field in the fourth quarter and were only 1-for-10 from three for the entire game, but Webber did finish with a season-low four turnovers while outscoring Ave Maria 19-2 on points off turnovers, 14-2 on fastbreak points, and 34-8 on points in the paint.

The leading scorer in this one for Webber was Eletra Graham with 15 points while Wandick added 10 points, Samantha Pacheco had eight points and five rebounds, and Franklin had seven points, seven assists and five steals.

Paulette Burke matched her career-high in scoring with seven points, and Jacob finished the game by tying her career-high in rebounds with 11.

"I am proud of these ladies," spoke Head Coach Grady Morrell. "They played with poise and a high IQ without two of our leading scorers."

Entering what is the final week of the regular season, Webber is now 16-7 overall and 12-6 in The Sun Conference while Ave Maria dropped to 7-16 and 4-13.

Next up for the Warriors will be their first of two games during the final week of the regular season against the College of Coastal Georgia. The game on Monday, February 15, will be Webber's final road game of the regular season, and then at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, the two teams will battle during what will be the Warriors' Senior Day.