LAKELAND, Fla. – Warner participated in the Southeastern Classic in Lakeland and leave with a 2-0 record with wins over No. 17 Saint Francis (Ind.) and Toccoa Falls.
 
The Royals fell in back to back games to No. 13 Ave Maria and (RV) Southeastern before heading to the Southeastern Classic. (RV) Warner stuck their ground and went 2-0 in the Southeastern Classic with a big win over Toccoa Falls and an overtime thriller over Saint Francis (Ind.).
 
Warner and Saint Francis met last season in a game that was decided by one point where the Royals fell 75-76 in regulation. The Royals flipped the script in this season's matchup with an overtime victory 74-69.
 
Saint Francis held a commanding 33-41 lead heading into halftime. The Royals clawed back starting immediately in the second half off a layup by Bart Schild and a layup with a free throw by Joshua Rathell. With 11:41 left in the game, Saint Francis extended their lead to 12 points.
 
The Royals used the next 9:00 minutes to cut into the lead heading on a 16-4 scoring spree. With 00:21 left on the clock, Darryl Mercer collected an offensive rebound then slung it up and in tying it up 62-62. A late turnover by Saint Francis forced the game into overtime.
 
With less than a minute left in overtime the Royals pulled away with a layup from Maxwell Benoit, made free throws by Joshua Rathell, then individual free throws made by Anterrius Washington and Rod Boggan. Warner finished off Saint Francis 74-69.
 
The Royals bring their next matchup home where they face the University of Northwestern Ohio Racers on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.