LAKE WALES, Fla. - Warner University women's basketball team kept their playoff chances alive with a 67-55 victory over Johnson & Wales University on Thursday night. The win is the second straight win this week for the Lady Royals (8-18, 4-13) who also defeated Northwood University on Tuesday night 73-66.
Marie Fleurival was nearly perfect from the field in the first half and led the Lady Royals to a 36-28 halftime lead with 15 points. The Warner defense forced five Wildcat turnovers in the first half and blocked two shots holding Johnson & Wales to 32.3% shooting from the field.
Following a shot clock violation in the waning seconds by the Wildcats,
Baylie Bridges took the final shot for the Lady Royals and nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to send the Lady Royals to the locker room leading by eight.
The Lady Royals' offense got even hotter in the second half to tune of 64.7% shooting from the field. Warner scored six straight points to begin the half and led by 14 points with 18:32 left on the clock.
The Wildcats narrowed the Lady Royals' lead down to eight, 49-41, with 10:39 to go in regulation. They would get no closer however, as the Lady Royals put the game away with a 13-0 run down to the 2:04 mark extending their lead to 21 points, 62-41.
Fleurival's big night ended with 23 points on 11-of-12 shooting from the field. It's the second straight 23-point game this week for the Warner senior; she scored 23 against Northwood University on Tuesday night, Feb. 17. She also added eight rebounds and four steals in the victory.
Montana Bass reached double digits for the seventh straight game and finished with 14 points.
Hannah Kotzen had an all-around game with seven points, six rebounds and five assists.
On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Lady Royals close out the regular season at home against Ave Maria University. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Turner Athletic Center. The game will also serve as senior night for the Lady Royals and they will honor
Hannah Kotzen,
Marie Fleurival and
Eliana Albert.
