BABSON PARK, Fla. (January 19, 2023) - The Webber International University men's basketball team hosted Warner University in the second edition of the Crooked Lake rivalry on Thursday night inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center. The Warriors completed the season-sweep for the first time since the 2012-2013 season with a 86-77 victory over the Royals.

Both teams shot an even 50 percent from the floor, but the difference was made down low as the Warriors (13-6 overall, 7-2 SUN) outnumbered the Royals (10-11, 3-6) in points in the paint, 46-28. Warner struggled heavily at the free throw line, only converting 18 of its 32 total attempts. The victory for the Warriors now earns them sole possession of first place in The Sun Conference.

There were no nerves at the start of this heated rivalry as the game began with six lead changes in just the first five minutes. Tied at 17 after the opening 10 minutes, Webber went on a 6-1 run over the next minute and a half to establish a five-point lead. Both sides were playing lockdown defense as there was not a single basket over the next two and a half minutes. A layup from the Royals saw the game tied up yet again at 27 with three minutes left in the half.

Webber trailed 31-29 before a catch-and-shoot three-pointer by Orri Hilmarsson earned them the advantage. Warner scored at the other end to regain the lead but a quick back-door cut from Hilmarsson gifted him an easy layup thanks to a perfectly-placed pass from Eddie Davis to take the lead once again at 34-33. A layup from Loro Natana with seconds remaining in the half, gifted the Warriors a three-point lead at the break.

The Warriors started the second half strong, led by Davis and K'Shun Stokes. Webber led for the remainder of the game, extending its lead to as many as 15 points at 79=64. The Royals did well to cut the deficit to just seven points with just under a minute remaining in the game but it was too little too late as the Warriors sealed their bounce-back victory and the season-sweep as well.

"It was a great emotional team win tonight and it's nice to see us get back to playing our style of basketball", Head Coach Gabriel Rutledge commented after the game. "The guys played extremely hard on both ends of the floor. Multiple guys made key stops on defense and timely shots on offense. We appreciate the support from the fans and the cheerleaders tonight. They made a huge impact on the atmosphere and it really made a difference. We will build off of this win and continue to learn and grow. Go Warriors!"

Stokes led the Warriors with 21 points on 53.3 percent shooting while adding three steals, three rebounds, and two assists. He was followed by Davis with 15 points and five rebounds to his credit. Jordan Golden led the team in rebounds with nine and added 10 points, tying his second-highest scoring output of the year. Freshman Jyshaun Melvin recorded nine points and a team-high four assists on the night. Hilmarsson and Gavin Buchanon both tallied eight points and three assists in total while Buchanon led the team with a season-high four steals.

Webber will now have a one-day break before traveling to Ave Maria University on Saturday, January 21st for a matchup against the Gyrenes at 4 p.m. The Warriors defeated Ave Maria by 10 points on their home court less than two weeks ago.