Lakeland, FL – The Webber International Women's Basketball team traveled to the Furnace to take on the Southeastern Fire Saturday evening. The Warriors were in it till the end, but ultimately fell 77-63.
The first points for the Warriors were scored by
Jaida Burgess, as she sunk two shots from the free throw line.
Janaina Goncalves sank an early three to put the Warriors ahead 5-2. Burgess would make the next two baskets on a jumper and a layup. With the Warriors down 15-9, Jermaisa Klopsis got on the board with an assist from
Kori Wimberly. Burgess hit another layup before assisting on a three-pointer for
Samantha Pacheco, who scored the final points of the quarter to put Webber up 16-15.
Klopsis hit one of two from the charity stripe to open up the second quarter.
Alisha Walker found pay dirt off an assist from Pacheco soon after. Goncalves found the basket again on a two-point jumper, before Wimberly hit two straight layups in the paint. Goncalves caught fire to end the half, hitting two threes to bring the score to 44-31 in favor of the Fire.
Wimberly opened the scoring in the third, as her layup came gift-wrapped from Walker. Pacheco hit a three-pointer and a free throw to bring Webber within 12 before Burgess hit two free throws to bring the deficit to 10.
Jaiden Ross and Burgess scored the final 11 points for the Warriors in the third quarter, alternating baskets and free throws. It went, Ross jumper, Burgess jumper, Burgess jumper, Ross jumper, and finally a free throw from Burgess. The Warriors headed to the final quarter down 50-64.
Triniti Lee hit a three-pointer to score the first points in the fourth quarter. Ross made two baskets, a layup, and a jumper, both assisted by Pacheco. Pacheco made two more free throws to end her night with nine points. Burgess scored the final four points for the Warriors, hitting a three-pointer and then a free throw. The Warriors fell to the Fire, 77-63.
When asked about the game, Head Coach
Grady Morrell kept it simple, stating "We need to pay attention to the details, especially during our opponents' runs."
Burgess led the Warriors with 19 points while also grabbing three steals and two rebounds. Goncalves had 11 points for the Warriors as well as nine rebounds, barely missing an elusive double-double. Ross had 10 points and nine rebounds, also just missing out on a double-double.
The Warriors will be back in action on Wednesday, January 17
th when they host their Crooked Lake Rivals Warner University in the Sabbagh Center at 5:30.
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