Mt. Vernon, GA – The Webber International Men's Basketball team led by as many as 11 in the first half and carried a 35–32 advantage into the break, but Abraham Baldwin Agricultural rallied late to slip past the Warriors 69–68 in Friday's neutral-site opener. Webber shot 40.9% from three (9-for-22) and turned it over just eight times, but ABAC's 41–28 rebounding edge and 34 paint points proved decisive.
After Webber tied the game on a Johnny Torrance Jr. driving layup with 16 seconds left, ABAC answered: Matthew Mairena hit a jumper with :05 on the clock for a 69–67 Stallions lead. Out of a timeout, Landon Tillman drew a foul with :01 to go, splitting the pair to pull Webber within one. ABAC missed two free throws at 0:00, but time expired as the rebound was batted around, sealing the one-point result.
Webber's offense was balanced. Torrance paced the Warriors with 14 points and six rebounds; Tillman added 13 points, five assists and three steals; Jashawnn Bates chipped in 10, and Nirobi Peeler Jr. hit three triples for nine points, five boards and three assists. Thomas Morgan posted 9 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.
Early on, the Warriors rode hot shooting—Peeler canned two early threes and Bates buried another late in the half—to build that 11-point cushion; ABAC methodically closed the gap behind P.J. Mathews (19 points) and a steady bench that finished with 36 points. The Stallions grabbed their largest lead at five with 6:34 left before Webber's final push set up the dramatic finish.
By the Numbers (Webber)
- Final: ABAC 69, Webber 68 (Halftime: WIU 35–32)
- Shooting: 38.3% FG (23–60), 40.9% 3PT (9–22), 61.9% FT (13–21)
- Rebounding/TOs: 28 rebounds (7 offensive); 8 turnovers; 9 steals; 17 assists
- Specialty Points: 15 points off turnovers; 5 second-chance; 10 in the paint; bench 15
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