THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Warren Hall scored 29 points and led Warner University men's basketball team in an 81-70 upset of No. 20 Thomas University (Ga.) on Saturday night.  The win is the first in league play for the Royals this year (1-2) and improves their overall record to 11-2.  The Night Hawks fall to 11-3 overall and 2-2 in The Sun Conference.

After the Night Hawks scored the first five points of the game the Royals' offense came alive but the first nine minutes of the game belonged to the home team.  Hall broke a 14-14 tie with a bucket in the paint at the 12:17 mark for Warner's first lead of the game. 

The two sides exchanged the lead three more times over the next two minutes before another Hall bucket gave the Royals the lead for good at the 10:14 mark, 20-19.  Over the final 10 minutes of the half, the Royals outscored the Night Hawks 22-13 and took a 42-32 advantage into halftime. 

Hall's impressive first half ended with 19 points and eight rebounds for the Royals.  The Royals dominated the boards in the first half, outrebounding Thomas 21-12.

In the second half, the Night Hawks cut the Royals' lead down to six, 50-44, with 13:49 to go in the game.  The Royals, who shot 54.2% in the second half, responded with a 6-2 run and had a 10 point lead again three minutes later.

The Night Hawks again cut the deficit to single digits, 61-52, at the 9:53 mark but the Royals put the game out of reach with a 9-0 run over the next four minutes.  Antonio Ansley scored seven of the nine Warner points during the run as the Royals forced five Night Hawk turnovers.  Bladimyr Santiago converted two free throw attempts with 24 seconds left in regulation to give Warner the 81-70 conference road victory, their first-ever against the Night Hawks.

Warren Hall led all players with 29 points in the game.  The Royals' sophomore was 12-of-19 from the field and added 10 rebounds to record the double-double. 

Eddie Delegal followed Hall with 14 points and eight rebounds in the win as well.  Antonio Ansley, who sparked the Royals late, finished with 12 points in the game.

The Royals return to action to action next Wednesday, Jan. 14, in a home Sun Conference match with Florida Memorial University.  Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in the Turner Athletic Center.