SIOUX FALLS, SD. – The NAIA DII Men's Basketball National Championship spelled out the season end for the Warner University Royals. They faced a tough string of adversity throughout the season but were able to overcome and make it to the NAIA National tournament for the third time out of the last four seasons. 
 
The Warner University Royals attained The Sun Conference Regular Season Championship this season for the first time under the reign of current head coach Sean Hanrahan. The 2018-19 Royals sealed up the Championship with a 14-4 TSC record. The 14 TSC wins is the most for the Royals in the Dak Stats era. 
 
Warner qualified for the NAIA DII National Tournament for the third time out of the last four seasons. It was the Royals 7^thappearance in school history where they hold an overall record of 10-7 in National Tournament play.
 
In the last 4 years, the Royals efforts have led them to 93 victories, 3-National Tournament appearances, 4 All-Americans, 2 Sun Conference Players of the Year, a National #3 ranking in NAIA DII, a Regular Season Sun Conference Championship Title and 2 Sun Conference Tournament Championships. 
 
In the National Tournament, the Royals faced a very tough Dakota Wesleyan team who are the National Tournament hosts. The Tigers brought with them roughly 2,000 screaming fans which made for a very tough environment to play in. 
 
The Royals regular season troubles followed them as one of the clear differences in play were the fouls committed. Warner was charged with 28 personal fouls to the Tigers 16. What this means is that the Tigers capitalized on 31 free points via the charity stripe while the Royals were kept to just 11. 
 
Warner's defensive efforts held the Tigers to a staggering 36.8% from the field and a slight improvement of 37.5% from beyond the arch. The Tigers strongest effort came from Ty Hoglund who put up an astounding 43-point night and also grabbing 5-boards. Hoglund was 13-26 from the field, 4-10 from three-point range and 13-18 from the charity stripe. 
 
The Royals offensive production came largely in part to Joseph Martz and Trae Graham. Joseph Martz put up 12-points making 4-7 from the field with all 4 being 3-pointers. Trae Graham produced 12-points from the field while snagging 11 rebounds for his 10^thdouble-double of the season before exiting via the foul out. Jaquez Dickerson also added a double-digit effort with 10-points shooting 4-5 from the field in his 17 minutes of play. 
 
Warner's head coach Sean Hanrahan said, "The guys played with honor and hustle. I was very proud of them battling in a rough environment. Over 2,000 Dakota Wesleyan fans cheering against them. It was a great atmosphere to play in. The Pentagon and their staff ran a great event!"
 
The Royals season has come to an end despite the many accolades. They will now travel back to Lake Wales and prep for the off-season. Go Royals!