Box Score
LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Warner University men’s basketball bounced back from last night’s loss by defeating Florida Memorial University 96-83 Saturday night in the Turner Athletic Center to improve their record to 17-7 (8-4 TSC) and drop the Lions to 7-18 (5-6 TSC).
In the first half, the Royals and Lions battled on the defensive side with neither team giving up any leeway; there were four ties within the first eight minutes of the half. The Lions took a three-point lead on a George Gray layup with 8:17 on the clock. The Royals responded with a 9-0 run sparked by a jumper from David Westberry. It took a free-throw from Gray to break the Royals scoring streak but it did nothing to quell the hot hand of the Royals as they went on a 15-0 run highlighted by a four-point play by Mirnes Islamovic. The Royals went on to close the period up 20, with another bucket from Westberry. The Royals lead was boosted by an 11 point half from Westberry.
In the second half, the Royals offense continued to heat up, pushing their lead to as much as 28, 76-48 with 8:06 left on the clock. The Lions were able to get back into the game and cut their deficit down to 11 behind the hot hand of 2009 Sun Conference Freshman of the Year George Gray and three-point shooting. Gray scored 26 second half points including five three-pointers to bring the Lions within striking distance. However the Royals would respond with buckets each time to keep their lead in double-figures.
Derell Henderson also had a big second half, scoring 24 points in the frame to lead the Royals with 33 points along with 11 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures were Westberry who scored 17 points while dishing seven assists and Adam Branch scored 13 points off the bench. Westberry and Branch were recognized during the Halftime for being named to the Homecoming Court with Branch being named 2010 Homecoming King. Mirnes Islamovic’ led the game with 14 boards to go along with nine points.
The Royals return to the court Tuesday night (Feb. 9) when they host cross-town rival Webber International University for a 7 p.m. showdown.