BABSON PARK, Fla. (November 18, 2022) - In what was the first home matchup of the new season, the Webber International University men's basketball team took on No. 21 Florida College on Friday night in the Sabbagh Athletic Center. The Falcons offense was too much for the Warriors as they fell 82-62 for the first time this season.

The Warriors (2-1 overall) struggled offensively, shooting just 27.9 percent from the field while the Falcons (7-1) did not seem to miss as they shot 57.1 percent in total. Despite grabbing 18 offensive rebounds, Webber was only able to convert with 17 second chance points.

Webber had a strong start to the game, taking an early 9-5 lead after the first three minutes. A 7-0 run by the Falcons saw them take a 12-9 lead before the two teams then began to trade the lead back and forth over the next several minutes. With just under 12 minutes left in the half, the Warriors led by one before an 11-0 run from Florida College handed it a 10-point lead. The Falcons kept pace with Webber over the final five and a half minutes and even extended the lead to 41-28 at the halftime break.

Re-energized after the break, the Warriors came out hot as they went on a 10-2 run that brought them back within five. Webber pushed to continue to cut away at the deficit, but every time the Warriors hit a shot, the Falcons hit one to match or even extend the lead. Five points is as close as Webber came in the second half as Florida College began to knock down shots with ease and keep the Warriors at bay.

"It was a disappointing outcome tonight," said Head Coach Gabriel Rutledge. "I thought our lack of effort and execution on the defensive end hurt us tonight. Florida College is a championship caliber program and in order for us to get to that level, we need all our guys to buy into the defensive end. I appreciate the effort and energy we started with in the second half, unfortunately, we came up short. We know the areas we need to grow and improve and will continue to push ourselves to be the team we know that we can be. We are thankful for the support of our fans and the energy they provided. Go Warriors."

Orri Hilmarsson was the primary source of offense for the Warriors as he ended with 18 points, 12 of which came in the second half alone. He knocked down six of his 13 attempted three-pointers and also led the team in steals with three while also recording two assists. He was followed by K'Shun Stokes who tallied 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals on the night. Tiyon Martin led the team in assists with three to go along with his nine points and six rebounds. Jordan Golden also added nine points while Chinecherem Anukaenyi led the team in both rebounds with 10 and blocks with three. Eddie Davis also added six rebounds along with four points and a steal.

The Warriors hit the road yet again as they prepare for their next matchup against the Conquistadors of Florida National University on Tuesday, November 22 at 2 p.m. It will then be back to conference action as they face Southeastern University in The Furnace on December 1st, followed by a home game against Keiser University on December 3rd.