LAKE WALES, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team wasn't able to overcome a first half that saw sixth-ranked Warner jump out to a 19-point halftime lead en route to a 98-80 Royals win.
 
The Gyrenes kept with the Royals in the opening minutes and took a one-point edge, 16-15 six minutes in. Later in the half and with AMU trailing by six, Warner went on a 12-1 run to take a 17- point lead with 3:50 to play. Warner would take a 50-31 lead into the half.
 
Both teams shot nearly 50 percent in the opening half but eight offensive rebounds led to 12 second chance points by Warner in the first 20 minutes compared to two by AMU during the same stretch.
 
Ave Maria did better on the boards in the second half, limiting Warner to one offensive rebound and one second chance point. The Gyrenes also got the three ball going in the final 20 minutes, making seven to win the second half 49-48.
 
Warner continued to shoot the ball well in the second half, making 62.5 percent of their second half shots and going 4-for-5 from three. The Royals shot 54 percent for the game.
 
Deonte Dixon led the Gyrenes with 27 points. Tejai Allen finished with his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Caelen Watts and Josh Flowers added 12 points and 11 points, respectively.
 
The Blue and Green return to action on Tuesday when they take on Florida College in Temple Terrace at 7:30 p.m.