LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Warner Royals improve to 9-1 in The Sun Conference tying them for 1^stplace with the Southeastern Fire.

It was named The Sun Conference Game of the Week. The Royals entered with an 8-0 record on its home court. The Fire entered with an 8-0 record on the road. The Royals had a six game winning streak while the Fire brought a seven game winning streak. In front of a big crowd, the Royals did not disappoint as they defeated the Fire 103-69.  

The Royals came out of the gate clicking on all cylinders, they quickly jumped to a 13-0 lead over the Fire. Little did they know, that lead would not only stay but continue to grow throughout the game. The Royals cruised to through the game holding their largest lead of 39 points late in the second half. 

Darryl Mercer Jr. and Trae Graham led the way for the Royals in the 1^sthalf; Graham scored 16 points on 6-9 shooting while Mercer Jr. scored 14 points, going 4-6 from 3-point line in the half. The Royals commanded the ball and the score the entire half; the Royals 6^thman in the half was the home crowd cheering so loud it was hard to hear the person beside you. 

Warner used 10 steals and 5 blocks on the night in a crucial win over the Fire. Trae Graham finished 4 assists shy of a triple-double as he finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals all while shooting 13-17 from the field making 2-2 from the charity stripe. 

Darryl Mercer Jr. set his career and season high game as he finished the night with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. Mercer used a 7-11 night from beyond the arch to achieve this milestone. 

Bart Schild was on his way to a career night as he fouled out with 11:00 minutes remaining in the game. To that point, he had 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and was 8-9 from the field. 

The Royals shot an impressive 62% from the field as a team. They shot 9-18 at three-point range and only received 6 free throws making all 6. 

The Fire averaged 83 points a game coming into tonight's game and the Royals defense held them to 69 total points. 

Warner ties Southeastern for 1^stplace in The Sun Conference at 9-1. They hit the road on Saturday January 19^th, 4:00 P.M. to face Ave Maria in another matchup of The Sun Conference.