Miami Gardens, FL – The Webber International Women's Basketball team used a decisive middle stretch to pull away on the road, topping Florida Memorial 60-51 Tuesday at the FMU Wellness Center, in the Quarterfinals of the SUN Conference Tournament. The win also becomes Head Coach Grady Morrell's 200th career win at Webber.
After a slow-opening first quarter that saw the Lions take a 13-9 lead, the Warriors flipped the game in the second, outscoring FMU 15-8 to grab a 24-21 advantage at the break. Webber then put together its best frame in the third, building separation with two key surges—first a 7-0 run fueled by back-to-back Jaiden Ross layups and an Adaya Montalvo triple, then a late 6-0 burst capped by a Taleah Jones jumper to push the lead to 41-29 with under a minute left in the period.
Montalvo led the way for Webber with 16 points, while Ross added 12. Camryn Patterson posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Isabel Negron stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, three steals, and two blocks.
The Warriors' work on the glass made the difference, winning the rebounding battle 41-32 and pulling down 17 offensive boards that generated extra possessions. Webber finished 22-of-57 from the field and went 14-of-21 at the line, helping hold off Florida Memorial's late push in the fourth quarter.
Florida Memorial was paced by Alicia Bates (12 points) and Kalea Rainey (11), as the Lions cut into the margin late but couldn't get closer than six in the final minutes before Webber sealed it at the stripe.
The Warriors will now head to the Furnace at Southeastern University to take on the Keiser University in the SUN Conference Tournament Semifinals Thursday evening.
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