BABSON PARK, Fla. (December 16, 2022) - For just the third time in its history, the Webber International University men's basketball team took on NCAA Division-III Fontbonne University in a non-conference matchup on Friday evening. The Warriors led for the majority of the game but were unable to hang on for the victory, falling 72-71 to the visiting Griffins.

The Griffins (4-6 overall) were efficient on offense, shooting 52.8 percent from the field while dominating down low and outscoring the Warriors (4-4) in points in the paint 38-26. Webber controlled the offensive boards, however, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds compared to just two for Fontbonne.

Fontbonne had the edge early on, taking an 8-4 lead after the first two minutes. The Warriors earned a one-point lead over the next two minutes thanks to a three-pointer from Orri Hilmarsson and a layup by K'Shun Stokes followed by another Hilmarsson-three. Webber gradually extended the lead to four before the Griffins responded with a run of their own to take a 19-18 lead with just under 10 minutes left in the half.

Freshman Jyshaun Melvin came off the bench to sink a three that regained the lead for Webber and kick-started a 10-1 run, gifting the Warriors a 28-20 advantage. The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the first half with Hilmarsson converting yet another three to extend the lead to nine at 41-32 at the break.

Early on in the second half, the Griffins cut the deficit to five points before back-to-back baskets from Stokes and Eddie Davis followed by two successful free throws from Tiyon Martin made it an 11-point lead for the Warriors. Both teams then went on a bit of a dry-spell offensively over the next five or so minutes, but Webber still managed to extend its lead yet further to 14 with 9:30 left in the game.

Leading 63-49 and holding its largest lead of the game, the Warriors began to struggle to get shots to go in while the Griffins slowly but surely worked their way back into the game. Fontbonne made it just a three-point game on three separate occasions, the last being with roughly three and a half minutes left. Webber led 71-68 with just over a minute remaining before two layups in a row by the Griffins earned them the one-point lead at 72-71 with 36 seconds left. The Warriors were unable to get the go-ahead basket and suffered its first loss to Fontbonne in its history.

Webber was led by Stokes who capitalized on drawing contact and scored nine of his 17 points from the free throw line while adding four assists and three rebounds. Hilmarsson shot 33 percent from deep and totaled 14 points on the night. Davis had another solid outing as he scored 12 points on 83.3 percent shooting from the field with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Jordan Golden ended one point shy of a double-double with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Martin also finished with nine points, two steals,  and tied with Stokes for the most assists with four.

The Warriors now have just a two-day break before hosting the Warrior Classic in which they will first face Mount Marty University on Monday, December 19 at 2 p.m. followed by a matchup against Doane University the following day at 4 p.m.