LAKE WALES, Fla. - In their first-ever meeting in women's basketball, Warner University defeated Embry-Riddle University 64-58 on Wednesday night in the Turner Athletic Center.  The Lady Royals' defense forced 26 turnovers and had eight steals to pick up their first conference win of the season (1-1) and their fifth overall (5-6); the Eagles fall to 8-4 on the year.

Mariah Williams erased an early 5-2 deficit with a layup in the paint at the 15:33 mark to give the Lady Royals their first lead of the game in the first half.  The two sides exchanged the lead six times in the game.

At the midway point of the first half, Eliana Albert nailed a three pointer to tie the game at 16-16.  From there the two sides exchanged the lead three more times and the Lady Royals led by as many as six points.  In final seconds, Embry-Riddle's Kalah Martin hit a layup in the paint to give the Eagles a 30-29 halftime lead.

After trailing by as many as eight points at the outset of the second half, the Lady Royals fought back to take the lead, 44-43, thanks to an 11-2 run down to the 12:39 mark.  Baylie Bridges connected on two free throw attempts to put Warner ahead.  For the next five minutes the Lady Royals led by as many as six points but the Eagles would not go away taking the lead on a three pointer by Martin with 7:03 left in the game.

Down the stretch, both teams battled to two more tie scores and with the Lady Royals holding a one point lead with less than a minute to go, Bridges hit the biggest shot of the game for the Lady Royals; a three pointer to make it a two possession game.

On ensuing Eagles' possession, Marie Fleurival forced the 26^th turnover by the visitors and Leilani Tuani-Fifita converted fastbreak layup on the other end to secure the home win with 16 seconds to go.

Baylie Bridges led an 11-player scoring attack by the Lady Royals with 14 points off the bench.  Corlisa Pope had a strong game with eight points and five rebounds in 15 minutes of action.  I'munique Green led the Warner rebounding effort with eight boards to go along with five points.

The Lady Royals take to the road this weekend for their third Sun Conference game of the season against Thomas University (Ga.).  The Lady Royals and Night Hawks will tip-off at 3 p.m. from Thomasville, Ga.