AVE MARIA, Fla. (January 21, 2023) - The Webber International University women's basketball team picked up back-to-back victories on Saturday afternoon after defeating Ave Maria University on its home court. The Warriors got their revenge with today's 61-56 victory after falling to the Gyrenes earlier this season at home.

The Warriors (7-13 overall, 4-6 SUN) held the Gyrenes (14-7, 6-4) scoreless from beyond the arc as they were unable to connect on any of their 10 three-point shots. Ave Maria also struggled from the free throw line as they shot 41.7 percent on 24 total attempts.

Tied at six after the opening few minutes, a 6-0 run by the Gyrenes saw them pull out in front and take a 12-6 lead. The Warriors worked to close the gap over the remainder of the quarter and trailed 14-12 heading into quarter number two. Trailing by five at 19-14, Webber caught fire and proceeded to go on a 13-2 run over the final six and a half minutes of the half. Ave Maria was held scoreless for nearly six minutes before converting a layup with just under a minute to go. The Warriors held a 27-21 lead at the halftime break.

It was a slow start to the second half for both teams but Webber extended its lead to eight points after the opening three minutes of the third quarter. A 13-2 run by the Gyrenes over the next five minutes earned them a three-point lead. A successful three-point shot by Danshelle Mickel tied the game up at 36 with roughly a minute and a half left in the third. Ave Maria regained its two-point advantage and held onto it heading into the final quarter of action.

Webber had its most efficient quarter offensively in the fourth as it tallied 23 points on 54.5 percent shooting. Samantha Pacheco led the way with nine points in the quarter, converting both of her shots from the field and five of her eight attempted free throws. The Gyrenes took a five-point lead after the first two minutes but the Warriors surged back and leveled the game at 45. Triniti Lee sank a three-pointer to give Webber the three-point lead, a lead it did not relinquish for the remainder of the game as the Warriors held on for the victory.

Leading the way for the Warriors was Pacheco with 16 points on 71.4 percent shooting. She got to the free throw line a season-high 10 times, while converting a season-high of six. Pacheco also led the team in both assists (5) and steals (4). She was followed by Rushell Jacob who recorded 12 points and three rebounds. Alexandria Lemmon ended the night with six points, five rebounds and three steals while Alisha Walker led the team in rebounds with six. Walker added four points and two steals on the defensive end.

The Warriors will now travel to NCAA Division-I Jacksonville University for an exhibition matchup on Monday, January 23rd at 7 p.m. They will then have an eight-day break to prepare for the Seahawks when they travel to Keiser University on Thursday, February 2nd at 5:30 p.m.