LAKE WALES, FL- The Royals took the road to face (RV) Ave Maria for their second conference matchup of the year after an OT thriller their first time around. 

The Royals faced the Gyrenes for the second time, this time on the road, after losing their first matchup in overtime by just two points. The Royals were in a groove early on in the game with Blaize Darling Jr. leading the way as he was able to knock down four shots in the first half, and the Royals got a big spark from their Sophomore Forward Christian Nurse who would finish with 14 first half points, and did a great job getting possessions for the Royals on the glass as he would also finish with seven before halftime. Jamal Norris found his three point shot early and was able to knock down two big threes to keep their momentum going giving Warner a three point advantage before the end of the first half. The Gyrenes, being one of the best teams in the conference, would continue to respond to everything the Royals had and would make adjustments to start the second half. Norris continued to light it up from the field in the second half and finished with a team high 10 points, while shooting 50% from behind the arc. This matchup would again go down to the wire as the Gyrenes would overtake the lead and miss a jumper with nine seconds left, and Skyler Scull would draw a foul to shoot two free throws to potentially win the game. Scull would make his first free throw to tie the game at 81 a piece but would miss the second free throw to send the game into overtime. In the first few minutes of OT the Royals would jump out to a four point lead but a four point play by the Gyrenes' Jonathan Effertz would bring the game back to even. Again with the game on the line Scull would take a three pointer to take the lead but the Gyrenes did a great job contesting ultimately leading to the Royals dropping this conference game on the road in heartbreak fashion. 

INSIDE THE MATCH: Warner University vs (RV) Ave Maria University
FINAL: Royals 90, Gyrenes 92
RECORDS: Royals (11-12, 3-6), Eagles (18-5, 7-2) 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

• Blaize Darling Jr. had a team high 21 points, while being effective from the field, going 7-13 with eight rebounds, and an assist. 
• Logan West did a great job crashing the boards for the Royals, and registered a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
• Jamal Norris let it fly from behind the arc shooting a season high 11 three point shots and finished with 18 points and a season high two blocks. 
• Christian Nurse was a spark plug off the bench as he also finished with a double-double, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

UP NEXT:
The Royals stay on the road to face the St. Thomas Bobcats on Saturday, February 10th at 4pm.