LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Royals met Dakota State for the first ever matchup between the two schools in women's basketball. It was the Royals that played well on both sides of the ball coming away with a 67-57 win. 
 
The Royals ended 2019 in high flying fashion as they finished off Dakota State claiming a 67-57 victory. Four Royals reached double digits in the point column while D'Asia James claimed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. 
 
The Royals defense played a key role by forcing the Trojans to commit 26 turnovers and finishing the game with 18 steals. Freshman Shelby Gard set a season and career high 6 steals in the matchup and contributed 4 assists. Warner head coach Nikki Jessee said, "It was a great defensive effort and overall team effort. We won the toughness battle along with the physical and mental battle which we haven't been doing. Now we need to build on this win, and keep moving this program forward."
 
Troi Grant and Alana St. Clair finished the game narrowly missing double doubles. Grant had 14 points, 9 rebounds with 8 of them being defensive and had 4 steals. St. Clair finished the game with 13 points, 9 defensive rebounds and shot 5-10 from the field. 
 
Warner will start out the 2020 half of their season against Florida College in Temple Terrace, Florida on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.