LAKE WALES, Fla. – In their first meeting of the year, Warner University women's basketball lost at home to Webber International University 48-44 on Wednesday night.  The Lady Royals overcame a five-point halftime deficit and outscored their crosstown rivals in the second half but ran out of time in the end falling to 5-13 overall and 1-8 in The Sun Conference.  The Warriors, who are receiving votes in this week's Top 25 Coaches' Poll, are now 15-3 and 8-2 on the year.

The Lady Royals trailed by five points at the half, 23-18, in what was a tough offense start for both sides.  Hannah Kotzen and Eliana Albert led the Lady Royals with five points each.  As a team the Lady Royals had six made field goals in the first half for a 26.1% average.  On the other side, the Lady Royals' defense forced eight Warrior turnovers and held Webber to 27.3% shooting.

In the second half, the Warriors ran their lead to 10 points, 36-26, at the 11:33 mark but a 13-2 run by the Lady Royals gave them the lead for the first time since the opening minute of the game.  Montana Bass capped off the run with a three pointer at the 6:45 mark.  Bass scored seven of Warner's 13 points during the run.

Both teams went scoreless over the next three minutes before the Warriors retook the lead with a pair of free throws at the 3:57 mark.  In the final minute, Mariah Williams got the game to within one, 45-44, but the Warriors scored the final three points from the free throw line to hold on defeating the Lady Royals 48-44.

Hannah Kotzen led the Warner scoring effort with eight points.  Eliana Albert and Montana Bass both finished with seven points.  Albert and Marie Fleurival were the leading rebounders with six boards a piece. 

On Saturday, Jan. 31, the Lady Royals welcome cross-county rivals Southeastern University for a Sun Conference doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.