MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | NAIA No. 22 Florida Memorial scored just 26 points in the first half before storming back in the latter half, but it wasn't enough as they dropped the SUN Conference opener 73-68 to Warner at the FMU Wellness Center. This is only the second time all season that the Lions have tasted defeat.

It was a classic contest between the post vs. the perimeter, as FMU (12-2, 0-1 SUN) finished with 44 points in the paint while giving up only 24 to the Royals. However, the Lions' couldn't buy a basket from downtown, finishing just 2-of-21 (less than 10 percent) from beyond the arc while Warner buried 11-of-33 (33 percent) three-pointers.

Lions forward Latavious Mitchell finished with a team-high 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field to go along with seven rebounds, one assist and one block while FMU guard Derrius Ward added 13 points, eight boards, five assists and one block. Teammate Nathaniel Powell chipped in with 10 points, five rebounds and one block in the slim loss.

The Lions return to action on Wednesday, January 10, as they travel to St. Thomas for the Battle of Miami Gardens. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Fernandez Family Center.