LAKE WALES, Fla. – In the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Game of the Week, seventh-ranked Warner University lost to tenth-ranked Keiser University 65-59 on Saturday night in the Turner Athletic Center. The loss is the second in a row for the Royals and marks the first time this season they have lost back to back games. Now 13-5 on the season, the Royals fall to 4-2 in The Sun Conference while the Seahawks remain perfect at 7-0 and 19-1 overall.
The first half was not kind to the Royals as they scored a season-low 19 points on 34.8% shooting from the field. The Royals had nothing going from behind the arc (0-for-6) and were outrebounded 20-14 by the Seahawks.
The Royals' defense however, kept the Seahawks at bay holding them to 38.7% shooting in the first half while forcing nine turnovers. The Royals trailed 26-19 at the break.
Eddie Delegal led the Royals with six first half points.
The second half was a much better offensive performance by the Royals and saw them narrow the deficit all the way to three points, 34-31, with 13:07 on the clock. The Seahawks maintained their advantage however, and used 44.8% shooting to stay just ahead of the Royals.
With 2:01 left on the clock, the Seahawks held a 57-50 lead. Over the next 1:30 the Royals hit a trio of three pointers including back-to-back daggers from
Warren Hall and trailed by one, 60-59, with 42 seconds left. Two turnovers in the waning seconds however, prevented the Warner comeback and gave the Seahawks free throw attempts that were used to ice the game.
Warren Hall scored 14 points in the second half to lead the comeback effort. He finished with 18 points in the game and six steals.
Jamie Anderson scored 13 points and
Antonio Ansley scored 11 for the Royals.
Eddie Delegal picked up a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Royals return to the hardwood next Wednesday night, Jan. 20, in a home matchup with Ave Maria University. The men's game will follow the women's game at 5 p.m. with an approximate tip-off time of 7:30 p.m. from the Turner Athletic Center.
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