LAKE WALES, Fla. - In their first game after the Christmas break, Warner University women's basketball team defeated No. 23 Emmanuel College (Ga.) 70-67 on Saturday afternoon. For the Lady Royals, it is their eighth straight win and their second over the NAIA-I Lions this season.
It was a fast and furious start for the Lady Royals as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead over the Lions. Warner did not miss on their first five shot attempts and led 16-10 at the first media timeout of the game.
The Lady Royals stretched their lead to as many as 17 in the first half and led 33-18 with 5:43 left before halftime. From there the Lions rattled off 15 straight points over the next four minutes and tied the game at 33 with 1:20 left in the half. Stephanie Wills hit a pair of free throws with 16 seconds to go in the half to end the first half scoring with the Lady Royals ahead 35-33.
Kelly Brennan led the Lady Royals offense with 10 points in the first half. All five starters recorded points in the first half. Marie Fleurival had six points and three rebounds.
Much like the first half the Lady Royals started the second half by adding to their lead. Brooke Garmon hit a three pointer at the 13:08 mark to put Warner ahead by eight, 50-42. Later in the half, Brennan gave the Lady Royals a 17 point advantage, 66-49, with a pair of free throws.
The final 4:50 of the game however, the Lions put the Lady Royals on their heels with an 18-4 run. The Lady Royals had four turnovers down the stretch but got good defense when they needed it to hold on for the 70-67 victory. The Lions had the last shot to tie the game as time expired but Kahler Fletcher's attempt was well off the mark.
Kelly Brennan led all scorers with 21 points and had five rebounds. Brooke Garmon was 3-of-6 from behind the arc and finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Marie Fleurival played just 18 minutes in the game but scored 11 points and had five rebounds. Stephanie Wills helped the Lady Royals outrebound the Lions (40-36) with 10 boards in the victory; she added five points and two assists as well.
The Lady Royals improve to 10-1 in the 2013-14 season under first year head coach LaDreda Akins. It's the best start in the last 10 seasons for the Lady Royals who will play again next Tuesday, Dec. 31, against University of Saint Francis (Ill.). Tip-off for the New Year's Eve game will be at 2 p.m.