LAKE WALES, Fla. – Warner University women's basketball team could not overcome a 14-point halftime deficit and lost at home to Florida Memorial University on Wednesday night in the Turner Athletic Center.  The Lady Royals got to within three points late in the second half but dropped their second straight Sun Conference game (1-3) and their eight game overall this season (5-8).

The two sides exchanged the lead seven times over the first five minutes of the game.  After Baylie Bridges tied the game at the 15:15 mark, Florida Memorial got an offensive rebound on their next possession and put back the missed shot for a 13-11 lead.  The shot sparked a 16-6 run by the Lions that gave them a 27-17 lead with 7:53 left in the first half.

Montana Bass scored Warner's final points of the half with 3:22 remaining before halftime.  The Lions scored the final seven points of the half at carried a 37-23 lead into the break.

The Lady Royals were outrebounded 19-12 in the first half and were 38.5% shooters from the floor.  Bass led all first half scorers with nine points.

The Lady Royals scored the first six points of the second half and cut the Lions' lead to eight, 37-29, at the 17:15 mark.  As a team, the Lady Royals' second half shooting improved to tune of 44.4% from the field.  Marie Fleurival was a big reason why, going 5-of-8 from the field for 11 points.

Defensively, the Lady Royals forced 15 turnovers in the second half and narrowed the deficit to three points, 47-44, with 9:48 to go in the game.  The Lions, however, made shots when they needed to down the stretch and used a 9-2 run to extend their lead back to 10 points, 56-46 with just over four minutes to go in regulation.

Undeterred, the Lady Royals responded with a 9-2 run of their own down to the 1:54 mark to bring it back to a three point game, 58-55.  The Lady Royals made one free throw in the final minute but were 0-for-4 from the field while the Lions converted six free throws to hold on for the 64-56 victory.

Marie Fleurival finished the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds, her first double-double since the Lady Royals' season opener on Oct. 28.  Montana Bass and Baylie Bridges followed Fleurival with nine points each.

The Lions won the battle of the boards out-rebounding the Lady Royals 37-27.  After Fleurival, Eliana Albert was second on the team with five rebounds.

On Saturday, Jan. 17, the Lady Royals head south to West Palm Beach, Fla. to face Northwood University in their third Sun Conference road trip of the season.  The Seahawks and Lady Royals will tip-off at 2 p.m. from the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center.  Fans can follow the game live by clicking here.