LAKE WALES, Fla. - The Warner University Lady Royals basketball team was in action Tuesday night against the visiting Crusaders of William Carey University (Miss.). The Crusaders came into the Turner Athletic Center ready to play, giving the Lady Royals all they could handle for the full 40 minutes. Coach John Dunlap's squad ultimately came away with the 49-47 victory.
In the first half the Crusaders defense wreaked havoc on the Lady Royals offense, forcing 12 total turnovers. They also held the Lady Royals to only two 3-pointers through the first 20 minutes. Mariah Williams turned it on midway through the first half for the Royals, leading all scorers with 11 points. Williams also had one rebound, one steal, and one assist in her 11 minutes of first half action.
The Lady Royals defense came alive in the final 20 minutes. They held the Crusaders to 25% from the field, and 20% from behind the arc in the second half. Marie Fleurival was essential to the Lady Royals victory over the Crusaders. The 2013-14 All-Conference selection had 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and four steals. On the Royals last possession, with the shot clock turned off, Fleurival was sent to the line with the game tied and sank both free throws to put the Royals up 49-47 with 2.8 seconds remaining. On the ensuing inbound, the pass was stolen by none other than senior forward, Fleurival to seal the win.
The Royals improved to 2-1, with the Crusaders dropping to 1-1. The Lady Royals travel to Deland, Fla. to take on NCAA-I Stetson University in an exhibition game on Nov. 9th. That game kicks off an eight game stretch of road games, including their first Sun Conference matchup against Southeastern University on December 13th at 2 pm in Lakeland, Fla. The Lady Royals next home game is December 31st at 1 pm, when they will take on Husson University.
