Box Score MIAMI, Fla.- The Royals men's basketball team took on Thomas Nighthawks in The Sun Conference tournament semi-finals Monday night at Florida Memorial University. The Royals and Nighthawks would play each other very close with the biggest lead the Nighthawks had on the Royals was six points at the 11:19 mark of the first half. Warner then would come back and take a lead of their own just three minutes later, 20-19, at 8:24 remaining in the first half. The Royals would not allow the Nighthawks to take a lead the rest of the half. Over the next eight minutes, the Royals would hold off any attempt Thomas had to go back on top and the Royals took the biggest lead of the half at seven points, 39-32. Warner would go in to halftime up 39-35. The Royals came out shooting in the second half. Within three minutes into the half, the Royals had built up an eleven point lead, 53-42. Thomas would come right back and actually take a lead of their own, 58-57, with 12:34 remaining. That is when the Royals would go on a 12-0 run over the next 2 minutes to go back up eleven points on the Nighthawks, 69-58. Thomas would then start chipping away at the Royals lead once again and het things evened up 81-81 with 1:21 remaining. The Royals would then hit a jump shot to go up 83-81. Thomas would come right back and knock down two free throws to tie the game back up. With one second remaining, Josh Ellis would draw a foul and go to the line. Ellis hit the first but missed the second, giving Thomas a chance to win. The Nighthawks got the ball inbounds and a shot off, however, it was the Royals night and the shot was no good. The Royals would come away with a 84-83 semi-final win.
    The Royals were led in the game by Warren Hall with 39 points, Josh Ellis with 17 points, and Adam Giger with 11 points. The Royals will face off with host Florida Memorial in The Sun Conference championship game Tuesday at 7 pm.