By Scott Barker, Communications and Sports Information Intern

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – (Box Score | Bracket) In the second to last game on Wednesday, No. 3-seed Warner (Fla.) (25-6) defeated host school and No. 6-seed College of the Ozarks (Mo.) (20-9), 93-79, in the first round of the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship.

For the first 15 minutes of the first half each team answered the opponents basket. There were 12 lead changes and six ties in the first half.

At the 4:25 mark Warner got a 3-point basket by Antonio Ansley to push its lead to 34-28.

After a 3-point basket by College of the Ozarks Ethan Murray, Warner went on an 11-4 run to end the half up 10, 45-35.

In the second half the Royal were able to extend their lead as a two point bucket by Warren Hall pushed the lead to 17 at 56-39.

From the 9:29 mark to the 8:33 mark, Warner pushed its lead to a game-high 24 points, 75-51.

The Bobcats fought back and trimmed the lead to 12 after a 4-point play by Cameron Paschke, but that was as close as the Bobcats would get.

Warner had three players score over 20-plus points – Warren Hall (31 points), Jamie Anderson (22 points) and Eddie Delegal (20 points). The Royal shot 52 percent (34-of-65) for the game and 7-of-20 (35 percent) from beyond the 3-point line.

On the flip-side College of the Ozarks had four players score in double figures – Ethan Murray (21 points), Skyler Frazier (13 points), Kiefer Starbird (12 points) and Cameron Paschke (10 points).

Warner advances to a showdown against Cal Maritime on Friday at 7:30 p.m.