BABSON PARK, Fla. (December 19, 2022) – The Webber International University men's basketball team kicked off the Warrior Classic with a matchup against Mount Marty University. The Warriors bounced back after last week's defeat with a 92-80 victory over the Lancers, in which they were in control from start to finish.
 
The Warriors (5-4 overall) exploded offensively for 92 points on 55.6 percent shooting and forced Mount Marty (5-10) into 18 turnovers on the defensive end.
 
Mount Marty had the better start to the game, hitting all three of its first three attempted shots from deep as the Lancers took an 11-4 lead after two and a half minutes. The Warriors responded with an 8-2 run to close the gap to just one at 13-12. The Lancers then hit a three and converted a layup on back to back possessions to regain a six-point advantage.

Gradually, Mount Marty extended its lead to as many as nine with just over nine minutes left in the half. Webber then worked to close the gap yet again to just one after a three-pointer from Jyshaun Melvin followed by a layup from Chinecherem Anukaenyi that gifted the Warriors a one-point lead at 32-31.
 
Tied at 38 with just under three minutes in the half, the Warriors went on a 7-2 run led by K'Shun Stokes to end the half, earning them a 45-40 lead at the break.
 
Back to back threes from Eddie Davis and Stokes to start the second half increased the Warrior-lead to 11. A minute later, a three by Tiyon Martin capped a 10-3 run over the first 2:15 which made it 55-43. Webber held an 11-point lead with 12 minutes remaining in the game before a 10-2 run by Mount Marty over the next three minutes reduced the deficit to just three.
 
That is as close as the Lancers would come for the remainder of the second half as the Warriors extended their lead to as many as 15 en route to their fifth win of the season.
 
Stokes racked up 32 points in 31 minutes on the floor while shooting a season-high 76.5 percent. He added five rebounds and three assists as well. He was followed by Davis with 17 points and seven rebounds while Martin and Anukaenyi each had 16 points. Martin led the team in assists with six and steals with four while adding five rebounds. Anukaenyi finished with a team-high eight rebounds and shot a near-perfect 7-of-8. Jordan Golden contributed with six points, seven rebounds, and two steals in total.

"I thought we looked like an improved team", said Head Coach Gabriel Rutledge. "Multiple guys played well. We took care of the ball well and were more organized on offense than in previous games. Our goal was to play great defense, hold them to one shot and take care of the basketball. When we limit our turnovers, we have plenty of guys who can score. Talent isn't an issue for us, all we have to do is not turn the ball over and play hard for 40 minutes. We focused on playing great defense and attacking the paint and I thought we executed that well. We have a quick turnaround against a tough opponent in Doane but we're excited about the opportunity. Go Warriors."
 
The Warriors will be right back in action tomorrow, December 20, at 4 p.m. inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center as they battle the Doane University Tigers in game two of the Warrior Classic.