WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – On day two of the Chuck Daly Classic hosted by Keiser University, the 13
th-ranked Warner University men's basketball team improved to 2-0 in tournament play with a 70-52 victory over Edward Waters College on Thursday evening. The Royals pick up their eighth victory of the season and are now 8-2 heading into the Christmas break; the NAIA-I Tigers are now 6-8.
After the Tigers scored the game's first points, Warner's
Antonio Ansley drained a three pointer the Royals' offense took off. As a team the Royals connected on 6-of-13 shots from behind the arc in the first half and led 35-15 at halftime.
Defensively, the Royals held the Tigers to just four made field goals in the first half and 17.4% shooting overall. The Tigers had multiple scoring droughts of over three minutes in the first half as the Royals defense forced 11 turnovers.
Hall and Ansley accounted for 26 of Warner's 35 first half points. Hall led all players with 17 points while Ansley scored nine, all from behind the arc.
The Royals poured it on in the second half shooting over 60% from the field and led by 30 points, 58-28, with 12:12 remaining in the game. The Tigers cut the deficit to 19 points with 6:03 to go but Hall and the rest of the Royals poured in another 35 points in the second half to keep their distance.
After scoring 29 points against No. 7 Bethel College (Ind.) in their tournament opener, Warner's
Warren Hall followed that up with a 32 point-performance against the Tigers to lead all players. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for the double-double. Hall was 4-for-8 from behind the arc and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Eddie Delegal was also named to the All-Tournament team scoring 10 points with nine rebounds after leading the Royals with 31 points last night. He also had a season-high four blocks in the game.
Ansley's night ended with 15 points and two assists. The Royals' sharp shooter was 4-for-8 from behind the arc.
The Royals return to West Palm Beach, Fla. after Christmas break for a pair of games in the Marietta Rappaport Holiday Classic also hosted by Keiser University. The Royals' first game comes on Dec. 29 against No. 8 Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.). Day two of the Classic pits the Royals against Penn State Mont Alto.
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