BABSON PARK, Fla. – The eighth-seeded Webber International University Warriors basketball team hosted the no. 9 seed, Ave Maria Gyrenes Tuesday night in the Sabbagh Athletic Center for the play-in game of the 2015 Sun Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.  The Warriors held off the Gyrenes to win, 71-59.
 
 
Leading the Warriors on the court were: Brian Pace, with 23 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds; Raymond Durant, with 20 points; Dewaine Lyals, with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks; and Jovany Deceus, with 11 points and 6 rebounds. 
 
Leading the Gyrenes on the court were: Johnny Minervino, with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist; Noah Phillips, with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists; Exor Torres, with 8 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds; and Jelani Bonner, with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal.
 
 
The Gyrenes put the first points on the board, but the Warriors answered to take the lead early on into the first half.  Within ten minutes of play, the Warriors had gained 6 points over the Gyrenes (18-12), only to extend their lead (24-12) with 8:35 left in the first. The Gyrenes continued to follow the Warriors, lessening the gap no less than 5 points, but the Warriors kept on pushing. With just 33 seconds left in the first, the Gyrenes made a basket that put them just under the Warriors, 35-33.  The Warriors gained 3 points before the end of the first half, giving the Warriors a humble 4-point lead into the locker room.
 
 
Coming out of the break, the Warriors recovered on fire. Within ten minutes of play, the Warriors secured a 22-point spread (63-41 at 10:18).  With five minutes left in play, and the Gyrenes yet to make a break through, the Warriors were still in control, 68-50. 
 
The Warriors' record improves to 13-18 overall and remains 9-9 in The Sun Conference.
 
Following the pair of play-in games, there will be four quarterfinal contests on Thursday, Feb. 26. The highest remaining seed will then host the semifinals and finals on March 2-3.