Score: Keiser 73, No. 22 Warner 80
Records: Keiser (8-11, 4-5 TSC), Warner (14-6, 8-1 TSC)
Location: Student Life Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Keiser Starters: Perkins (G), Radulovic (G), Orlic (F), Gedeon (F), Matic (F)
Warner Starters: Mercer Jr. (G), Williams (G), Shelton (F), Graham (F), Ozuna (F)

Keiser Highlights

• Andrija Matic churned out another impressive statistical line, finishing with a game-high 27 points to go along with a new career-high 16 rebounds, which also was a game-high mark. The senior forward was 8-of-16 from the floor and 2-of-3 from downtown in what was his his eighth consecutive double-double.
• Marko Orlic joined Matic in double-figure scoring with 11 points, and also was active defensively with three steals and a career-high four blocks.
• Javen Soto came off the bench and matched a season-high nine points, and the freshman also added five rebounds.

 
Turning Point
Keiser trailed by 11 points at halftime and was able to cut the deficit all the way to as low as three points in the second half. With Warner leading 63-58 with 5:36 to play however, the Royals brought it all the way back to double-digits with five straight points to slow the Seahawk push, and the late double-digit lead proved insurmountable for KU.
 
How it Happened

• The No. 22 ranked Royals started fast, and were able to establish a 22-8 lead with 13:56 on the clock in the first half.
• That was the point at which Keiser started to get into the flow of the game, evidenced by a 10-3 run to get back to within single digits at 25-18 at the 8:46 mark, a run highlighted by one of Matic's two three-pointers in the contest.
• The teams traded productive offensive trips, and with Warner leading 31-21, Keiser scored the next four points to draw to within two possessions, 31-25 Warner with just 4:57 to play until the break.
• It was still a six point spread at 33-27 with 4:11 on the clock before Warner was able to rattle off the next seven points to go in front by 13, but Matic's layup in the paint with 1:09 on the clock was the final tally of the half, as the Royals held the 40-29 advantage.
• The Warner lead was brought back into single digits, 46-37, after Jermar Perkins sunk two from the free-throw line with 16:25 on the clock, as part of a 6-0 run capped off by a Soto jumper with 15:15 showing to make it 46-39.
• The Royals then proceeded to make a push of their own, extending the advantage to as large as 16 points, 59-43, with a 13-4 run that concluded with 11:10 left to play on a Perkins fast break layup.
• Moments later when trailing 61-49, the Seahawks netted seven straight points to make it a five point game, 61-56, after Matic's final three-pointer went through with exactly seven minutes remaining.
• After a Warner basket, Orlic had a jumper find its mark to make it 63-58 with 5:36 left, but a Royals layup, Keiser turnover, and Warner three-pointer then made it 68-58 with 4:38 left to play.
• The Seahawks were not done yet however, and gave reason to hope for an improbable comeback with a 5-0 spurt in the final minute of play that drew KU to within three points, 76-73, following a Marco Radulovic triple and a Matic basket with 27 seconds left.
• Warner however was able to create a fast break layup against the Keiser full court pressure out of a timeout, and after a Radulovic three hit the back iron, a defensive rebound, KU intentional foul, and two free-throws sealed the 80-73 win for No. 22 Warner.

 
Inside the Box Score

• Both teams went back-and-forth from inside the paint, with No. 22 Warner producing 40 points inside to Keiser's 38.
• The Seahawks capitalized on second chance opportunities, outscoring Warner 23-9 in that category on the strength of 19 offensive rebounds.
• Only five free-throws were missed in the ball game. Keiser was aggressive to make it to the foul line for 25 attempts from the stripe, making 20, while Warner went 10-of-10. 

 
Game Notes

• Keiser's defeat put a halt to a three-game winning streak, as the Seahawks have begun the New Year to the tune of a 3-1 record.
• Despite the setback, Keiser still leads the all-time series 18-7.

 
Ties: 0
Lead Changes: 0
Largest Lead: Keiser (N/A), Warner (16)
 
Team Leaders
Keiser
Points: Matic (27)
Rebounds: Matic (16)
Assists: Perkins (4)
 
Warner
Points: Mercer Jr. (17)
Rebounds: Graham (13)
Assists: Mercer Jr. (5)
 
Up Next
Keiser will look to rebound when it hosts Sun Conference opponent Coastal Georgia next Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. inside the Student Life Center.