LAKELAND, Fla. (December 1, 2022) - The Webber International University women's basketball team returned to Sun Conference action on Thursday evening as they matched up against Southeastern University inside The Furnace. After a slow first half, the Warriors put in a comeback effort that ultimately fell just short 81-76.

The Warriors (1-6 overall, 0-3 SUN) shot 39.2 percent in total while the Fire (5-4, 3-1) shot a bit more efficiently at just shy of 45 percent. Webber's defense was able to force the opposition into 21 turnovers but was only able to capitalize with nine points off turnovers.

In what was a back and forth first quarter of play, the Warriors trailed by one at 11-10 with just over five minutes left. A three-pointer by Triniti Lee handed Webber the lead, however, an 8-4 run to end the quarter by the Fire handed them a two point lead to begin the second quarter. Scoring was few and far between for both sides to begin the new quarter but a 10-3 run by Southeastern over the first four minutes saw the lead extended from two to nine. The Warriors fought diligently to keep themselves in the game but the Fire slowly increased their lead to as many as 14 and held a 12-point advantage at halftime.

Webber stepped up defensively to begin the second half and forced the Fire into their worst quarter of shooting at just 31.6 percent and their lowest scoring output at 13 points. The Warriors chipped away at the deficit, led by Jaida Burgess who recorded 12 points in the third quarter alone. Back to back layups to end the quarter for the Warriors saw them pull back within four heading into the final quarter of action. Webber pulled within just two points on two separate occasions early on in the fourth quarter but Southeastern quickly responded. Trailing by four with seven minutes remaining in the game, Lee drilled a three to put the Warriors within one, but that is as close as they came as the Fire did enough to hold off for the victory on their home court.

Leading the way offensively was Burgess who scored a career-high 26 points on the night while also tying her career-high for steals with five. She was followed by Alexandria Lemmon who also ended with a career-high in points with 24. Dasia Wandick led the team in rebounds with seven to go with her eight points scored. Rushell Jacob finished with six points and four rebounds while Samantha Pacheco tallied four points and six rebounds.

Webber has just a one-day break before returning home to face the Seahawks of Keiser University on Saturday. December 3rd at 2 p.m.