COLUMBIA, S.C. – Warner University women's basketball team won on the road against Columbia International University (S.C.) on Friday night. Defense was the story in the game for the Lady Royals as they forced 30 turnovers and overcame a five point halftime deficit to improve their 2015 record to 3-4. The loss drops the Rams to 2-4 on the season as well.
After a back and forth first quarter, the Lady Royals fell behind in the second quarter and trailed by as many as 10 points with 4:07 to go before halftime. From there, however, the Lady Royals closed the half on an 8-3 run and went in at halftime only trailing 38-33.
The Lady Royals' defense forced five turnovers in the final minutes of the first half and forced a total of 12 Rams turnovers in the first half.
Mariah Williams led the Lady Royals in the first half with three steals and eight points.
The Lady Royals played catchup nearly all of the third quarter.
Charisa Broadway brought the Lady Royals all the way back and tied the game with an old fashioned three point play with 49 seconds left. The Rams scored in the final possession of the half and led 54-52 heading to the final quarter.
Broadway was in the mix again in the first minute of the fourth quarter as her free throw put Warner ahead 55-54, their first lead of the second half. Overall the two sides exchanged the lead nine times in the fourth quarter alone.
In the final minute
Kayla Guerrero gave Warner the lead for good with 46 seconds left 69-68 and they would not give it back holding on for the 74-70 victory.
As a team the Lady Royals had 13 steals and forced 18 Rams turnovers in the second half.
I'munique Green led the way with four steals while Williams added three to her first half total.
For the game, 11 players scored points for the Lady Royals. Williams led the way with 12 points and six of Warner's 21 steals.
Kashari James scored a season-high 10 points as well. Green led the bench effort with nine points.
Next Tuesday, Nov. 24, the Lady Royals keep to the road for an exhibition against Saint Leo University. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
-
