BABSON PARK, Fla. (December 30, 2022) - The Webber International University women's basketball team opened its hosting of the Webber International Shootout with a game against Taylor University on Friday afternoon. Offensive struggles plagued the Warriors as they suffered a 72-38 defeat to the visiting Trojans.

The Warriors (2-10 overall) were missing several key players and were forced to use a small rotation as they struggled offensively, shooting just 22.4 percent for the game. Taylor (8-6) shot 37.3 percent from the field and racked up a massive 53 rebounds, compared to the 42 of Webber.

The Trojans quickly developed an eight-point lead over the first four and a half minutes of the game and sustained that lead into the second quarter as they led, 18-10. The Warriors scored nine points in total for the second quarter and had scored just three after the first seven minutes. Taylor steadily extended its lead to as many as 19, but held a 15-point lead at the break.

Webber's offensive woes continued in the third quarter as they scored just eight points in total, six of which came through Jaida Burgess. Taylor sank a three-pointer with 30 seconds left in the quarter to make it a 27-point game heading into the final quarter of play. Danshelle Mickel led the scoring in the fourth quarter with six points, however, the Trojans scored at too torrid a pace for the Warriors to keep up as they saw out their victory.

Leading the way offensively was Burgess with 18 points, scoring her fourth-highest tally of the season. She added five rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while getting to the line nine times and converting seven free throw attempts. Mickel recorded season-highs in both points with six and blocks with two as she tied her season-high for minutes as well with 15. Dasia Wandick and Triniti Lee both led the team in rebounds with six each with Lee adding a block as well. Sophomore Jermasia Klopsis posted five rebounds, four points, and was tied for the team-high in assists with two.

It does not get any easier for the Warriors as they take on the No. 6 Marian University Knights tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. They will then have just a one-day break before hosting the University of Fort Lauderdale on Monday, January 2nd, at 4 p.m.