DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In the NAIA Network Men's Basketball Division II Game of the Week, No. 2 Embry-Riddle University defeated No. 24 Warner University 82-63 on Saturday night in the ICI Center.  The conference leading Eagles led by 17 points at the half and shot better than 50% from the field in both periods to record their 23^rd win of the season (23-1) and their 11^th in league play (11-1).  The Royals lose their third game of the week and are now 16-7 overall and 6-7 in league play.

The two sides exchanged buckets in the first 1:30 of action before DeForest Carter gave the Eagles the lead for good at the 18:23 mark.  At the second media timeout of the game the Royals trailed 24-17.  Down the stretch the Eagles led by as many as 19 points as the Royals shot 33.3% from the field in an effort to keep up.

Eddie Delegal led the Royals' scoring effort with seven first half points.  Jamie Anderson had six points off the bench as well.

The Royals' offense picked up in the second half to tune of 50% shooting from the field as they tried to chip away at the Eagles' lead.  Brandon Poore cut the lead to 13 points with a fastbreak layup at the 16:49 mark.  Delegal completed a three point play three minutes later to make it a 10 point game, 53-43.  An 11-2 run by the Eagles, however, ran the lead back to 19 with 10:25 to go in the game.

The Eagles' hot first half shooting continued in the second half as they shot 54.5% from the field and were 11-of-13 from the free throw line.  In the end it was too much offense by the Eagles as they pulled away for the 82-63 victory.

Delegal led all players with 21 points in the game and seven rebounds.  He finished the night 7-of-10 shooting from the field and had two steals.  Warren Hall was second on the team with 14 points and four rebounds.

As a team, the Royals were outrebounded in the game 36-20.  The Eagles were able to put back 16 second chance points while the Royals managed four.  Both teams were opportunistic with their turnovers; the Royals scored 15 points off 17 Embry-Riddle turnovers while the Eagles scored 17 points of 14 Warner miscues.

Next week the Royals close out the road portion of the regular season schedule.  First on Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Royals make the short drive to Babson Park, Fla. to take on Webber International University.  The Royals and Warriors needed double overtime to decide the winner in their first meeting back on Jan. 28.  Warren Hall hit the game winner as time expired to give Warner the 91-90 victory.  On Saturday, Feb. 14, the Royals head south for their second meeting with Florida Memorial University.  Both games will tip-off at approximately 7:30 p.m.