Warner University Dominates in Home Opener 103-52

October 23, 2020 –  Lake Wales, Fla. –

The Warner Royals officially began their 2020-21 yesterday as they faced off against NCCAA DII opponent Johnson University Florida. The Royals finished their season last year 20-11, ending with a tough 67-89 loss to Ave Maria University in the first round of The Sun Conference tournament. Johnson University Florida, coming off a successful 2019-20 campaign that ended with a conference championship, was led by a new coach at the helm this year known as Eliot Hernandez. Eliot Hernandez served as the assistant athletic director and head women’s basketball coach until the dismissal of then men’s head coach Landis McCoy. With a few returnees, Coach Hernandez had to recruit a brand new team for this season. To say the least, they are already experiencing some expected growing pains.

The Suns were able to keep it close with the Royals in the beginning until some strong performances by players like Rod Bogdan (21pts/5reb/6ast) and Jaquez Dickerson (18pts/10reb) pushed the Royals up front quickly. The Suns were unable to match the Royals offensively, shooting a poor 33% from the field. The Suns lead scorer was Adam Starks with 11 points after returning from a 1 year absence. The Suns tried to make some improvements in the second half but to no avail as the Royals won the game 101-52 for a very exciting home opener for their home crowd. The Royals begin their season now 1-0 as the prepare for their next game against Florida National University at home at the Turner Athletic Center in Lake Wales, FL on Oct. 27th. The Suns, now 0-1, will also look to face FNU in an away game in Hialeah, FL on Oct. 23rd with tipoff scheduled for 7pm EST.