BABSON PARK, Fla. (December 10, 2022) - The Webber International University men's basketball team traveled to Deland, Florida to face Division-I opposition in the form of Stetson University in an exhibition game on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors hung tough and stayed within touching distance of the Hatters for the majority of the game in an 83-59 defeat.

The Warriors (4-3 overall) were outshot percentage-wise for the game as they shot 37.9 percent from the field compared to the 51.7 percent of Stetson (5-3). Webber shot a similar percentage from three-point range and forced the Hatters into 15 turnovers. The difference came from points off turnovers as Stetson capitalized with 32 while the Warriors had just eight.


Webber started off slow with a few turnovers and were unable to get a shot up for the first four minutes as the Hatters raced to an early 11-0 lead. However, after shaking off some early-game jitters, the Warriors then went on an 18-9 run in just over five and a half minutes. The run was capped by eight-straight points from Tiyon Martin as he scored on three-straight possessions with a converted and-one, a layup, and a three-pointer to cut the deficit to just two points at 20-18. The Hatters then responded with a 14-3 run of their own over the next five minutes, extending their lead to 13 with four and a half minutes left in the half. A three from Orri Hilmarsson made it a 10-point game but back to back threes by the Hatters followed by a two-pointer, extended their lead to 18 at halftime.

The Warriors played good, strong, aggressive defense at the beginning of the second half and it payed off as they did not allow a single basket for the first three minutes of the half. Webber trailed by 20 for the majority of the second half but played right alongside the Hatters as the two teams traded blows. Trailing by 21 with seven minutes left in the game, Webber went on a 13-5 run over the next three minutes, cutting the lead to just 13 with just under four minutes to go. Stetson then went on an 11-0 run to end the game which sealed their 24-point victory.

Leading the way offensively was Martin with 21 points on 69.2 percent shooting. He added a team-high three steals on the defensive end and tied with two others for the most assists with three. He was followed by K'Shun Stokes with 10 points and three assists and Hilmarsson with nine points and three assists as well. Jordan Golden tallied seven points and led both teams with 12 rebounds in total. Defensively, Golden added the only block for the Warriors.

"I want to thank Stetson University for giving us the opportunity to come and play a quality Division-I opponent", said Head Coach Gabriel Rutledge. "We fought hard today and learned a lot about ourselves and what we're capable of. We are looking forward to being on home court for our next few games. Go Warriors."

The Warriors return to the Sabbagh Athletic Center for their next three games as they will first face Fontbonne University on Friday, December 16 at 5 p.m.