MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Warner University women's basketball team lost on the road to Florida Memorial University 78-59 on Monday night.  The Lady Royals fall to 6-7 on the year and are now 1-2 in The Sun Conference.

After getting outscored in the opening quarter 20-8, the Lady Royals responded with a 13-11 advantage in the second quarter.  Despite scoring the first points of the game on a free throw by Kaley Schmick, the Lady Royals trailed for all but 1:11 of the first half and were down 31-21 at halftime.

Florida Memorial stretched their lead to 21 points midway through the third quarter but the Lady Royals rallied late.  Charisa Broadway made it a two possession game, 51-45, heading to the final quarter with a bucket in the paint with 20 seconds left in the third.

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Royals got to within five points of the Lions but turnovers plagued the Warner offense all night allowing the Lions to stay just out of reach.  Florida Memorial pressured the Lady Royals into 28 turnovers on Monday night.

Mariah Williams did not start against the Lions but did lead the team in scoring with 17 points.  She also led a Warner defensive unit that had 19 steals with five of her own.  Sara Poehlman scored 11 points as well.

Denae James made her season debut against the Lions and led the team with 10 rebounds and also scored four points.

The busy week for the Lady Royals continues on Wednesday, Jan. 12, with another trip to Miami Gardens.  This time the Lady Royals will take on St. Thomas University in the Fernandez Family Center at 6 p.m.


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