Babson Park, FL – The Webber International Warriors ended the calendar year on a high note against the Shawnee State Bears. The Warriors took down the Bears 79-68, leading wire-to-wire, largely thanks to a 32-point performance from Jaida Burgess.
Janina Goncalves got the scoring started for the Warriors off of an assist from Jermaisia Klopsis. Burgess got her night started with a three-pointer before Goncalves sank two free throws. Samantha Pacheco scored two straight baskets to force Shawnee State into a timeout, with the Warriors leading 11-0. Klopsis and Pacheco scored the next baskets for the Warriors as they were able to maintain a sizable lead heading into the second quarter up 20-8.
Triniti Lee was the first on the board first in the second quarter, dropping two free throws. The Bears began a comeback bid, but buckets from Burgess and Jaiden Ross kept the Warriors ahead. Burgess scored the next four points for the Warriors off of two free throws and a made jumper. Goncalves and Klopsis finished off the scoring for the Warriors in the second quarter, heading into halftime with a 38-32 lead over the Bears.
Burgess was sent to the line for the and one opportunity to begin the second half, sinking the ensuing free throw. Lee made her next basket off the feed from Burgess, who was sent back to the line shortly after. Pacheco and Goncalves ran a two-versus-one fastbreak to perfection, as Pacheco made the layup off of Goncalves' bounce pass. Pachecho and Burgess began to trade off who would score, as Burgess made the next shot. Soon after, Burgess assisted Pacheco's three-pointer, before sinking two more free throws after another score from Pacheco. Pacheco ended the scoring in the third quarter with a free throw, and the Warriors leading 59-45.
A jump shot by Burgess started the fourth quarter for the Warriors. Klopsis dropped one of two from the charity stripe before Burgess had another and one. Klopsis hit another layup, bringing the score to 67-54 in favor of the Warriors. Burgess and Alisha Walker would take turns getting sent to the line down the stretch, as the Bears tried to claw their way back into the game. Burgess sank all eight of her free throws, and Pacheco made one more at the end to give the Warriors an 11-point victory, 79-68.
Burgess led the team with 32 points, while adding five rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Pacheco dropped 19 of her own, while also having three rebounds and five steals. Klopsis was the third Warrior in double figures with 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The Warriors will be back in action on Saturday, January 6th when they travel to West Palm Beach, Florida for the start of SUNC play against the Keiser Seahawks.
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