LAKELAND, Fla. - The Royals Women's Basketball team opened up their 2026-2027 Campaign at the Fire Opening Classic hosted by Southeastern University on Thursday and Friday. Warner got the opportunity to take on Nelson University (TX) and Ge%)%orgia Southern University - East Georgia both of which were the first time that Warner has faced these opponents in program history. The Royals split the Classic falling to Nelson by a score of 75-43 before bouncing back to beat GSU-East Georgia 73-64.
Game 1: Warner - 43 vs. Nelson (TX) - 75
The Royals opened up their season taking on a strong Nelson University (TX) program who made it to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round a season ago. Sophomore Guard
Lacienega Crockett lead the way for the Royals on the scoreboard racking up 10 points going 3-9 overall and 3-4 from the free throw line.
Anabelle Gogol and
Carissa Marthy secured 6 rebounds each while 3 separate Royals recorded 2 assists on the night.
Warner saw a significant impact come from their bench on Wednesday as the Royals bench outscored the Lions bench 24-20. In a tough match up, the Royals have shown that the team has some true depth to build on as they work towards Conference play.
The Royals ended the night shooting 14-52 (26.9%) overall, 3-8 (37.5%) from beyond the 3-point arc and 12-17 (70.6%) from the free throw line. Warner also tallied 31 rebounds, 10 assists, 6 steals in their season opener.
Game 2: Warner 73 vs. GSU-East Georgia 64
The Royals bounced back in big way on Thursday earning a 73-64 win in a thrilling back and forth affair against the Golden Eagles of GSU-East Georgia. In a game that saw 7 lead changes and tied scores 6 times, Warner was able to rally to win all 4 quarters behind huge individual performances on both sides of the court. Coming off the bench, true Freshman
Kayden Gause lead all scorers with 20 points shooting 7-10 from the field, including going 2-4 from three, and 4-7 from the charity stripe.
Warner also saw 3 other Royals rack up double-digit points with Crockett tallying 15,
Alexis Randall scoring 10 and first-year Royal
Kali Harris dropping 12 points. Randall's 10 points tied her career high which she recorded last season at New College of Florida, while Crockett's 15 was 1 point shy from tying her career high of 16 at Florida Memorial last January. The Royals also had 2 double-digit rebounders in the win as
Bianca Barroso hauled in a career high of 11 rebounds as
Carissa Marthy secured 10 rebounds for her 10th double-digit rebound game in her career.
For the 2nd game in a row the Royals bench outscored their opponents bench as Warner totaled 38 points to the Golden Eagels 24. The Royals finished the night shooting 27-57 (47.4%) overall, 4-11 (36.4%) from three, and 15-20 (75%) from the free throw line. Warner also recorded 50 rebounds, 12 assists, and 9 steals in the win.
Warner Individual Classic Stat Leaders:
Points: Lacienega Crockett &
Kayden Gause - 25
Rebounds: Carissa Marthy - 16
Assists: Lacienega Crockett &
Ja'Elle Griffin - 5
Steals: Bianca Barroso - 5
Up Next:
The Royals will return home to host the Warner University Sunny Southern Classic on Oct. 30th and 31st to take on Thomas University and Andrew College in the Turner Athletic Center.
#GodBlessGoRoyals | #TogetherAsOne
