LAKE WALES, Fla. - A strong second half performance propelled No. 2 Embry-Riddle University to a 82-71 come-from-behind victory over Warner University in Sun Conference men's basketball action on Wednesday night. The Royals gave up a four point first half lead to drop just their second game of the season (10-2) and in league play (0-2). The Eagles continue their perfect start to the 2014-15 season and are now 14-0 (2-0 TSC).
In their first game since Dec. 15, the Royals came out firing on all cylinders in the first half. After a back and forth start, the Royals broke a 12-12 tie with a 14-4 run down to the 11:05 mark.
Eddie Delegal was a big reason for the Royals hot start scoring 13 points in the first 10 minutes of the half. As a team the Royals shot over 70% from the field nearly the entire half.
After trailing by as many as 11 midway through the half, the Eagles cut the Royals' lead to single digits down the stretch and got a big steal and dunk just before halftime by DeForest Carter to narrow the deficit to 44-40 heading into halftime.
Eddie Delegal and
Warren Hall combined for 29 of Warner's 44 first half points. Delegal led all players with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
The tables were turned in the second half as the Eagles came out of the break on fire scoring seven straight points to take a 47-44 lead before Delegal hit one of two free throws to break the streak. Overall, the Eagles took over the game with a 21-6 run to start the second half in just a little over eight minutes.
The Royals' hot first half shooting was gone in the second half as they combined to shoot just 22.6% from the floor while the visitors heated up to the tune of 60.9%. Delegal got the Royals to within five points, 64-59, with a pair of free throws at the 9:52 mark but a 7-0 run by the Eagles pushed the lead back to 12 points two minutes later.
Warner's
Hunter Jump came off the bench to hit the final shot of the game, a three pointer with 24 seconds left, as the game ended 82-71 in favor of the No. 2 Eagles.
Warner's
Eddie Delegal led all players with 24 points in the game. The Royals' forward was 7-of-15 from the field and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. His teammate
Warren Hall finished with 19 points and added 10 rebounds to record the double-double.
Antonio Ansley came off the bench and chipped in 11 points as well.
On Saturday, Jan. 10, the Royals head north to Thomasville, Ga. for their third Sun Conference match of the season against No. 20 Thomas University (Ga.). The Royals and Night Hawks will tip-off at 5 p.m.
