Fullerton, CA - The Hope International University men's basketball team (10-4) won their second game in a row as they used a big second half to defeat the Bethesda University Flames 96-75 on Thursday afternoon in the Darling Pavilion.

Early in the match, the Royals dominated. For the opening twelve minutes of the game, the Flames executed in defense as they maintained the Royals from scoring, they kept the score's proximity to five points. The Royals then took over and went on an eight-point scoring spree, increasing their lead to (39-30). With barely five minutes remaining in the half, Charles Neal and Jalani Horn tacked on nine more points to increase the advantage to 47-32. The Flames did not have much fighting power as the Royals ended the half with a 24-point lead. The Royals had two players in double digits, with Jalani Horn leading the game with 25 points. Also, Calen Murray is the second-leading scorer with 13 points. On the Flames, Justin Clark and Sam Skipper tie for third-leading scorer with 11 points each.

With two made baskets by the team's top scorer Horn, the Royals maintained their momentum to begin the second half (63-38). For the Flames, making a comeback proved difficult. Since the Flames were outscored by at least 20 points by the Royals the whole half. At the end of the game, Jalani Horn had an incredible 33 points. To close out the second half, Murray, Neal, and Caleb Christopher all scored in double figures. Sam Skipper finished the game as the Flames' leading scorer with 22 points. Russell Redwood scored 12 points, and Justin Clark contributed 19, respectively, to aid their team.

The Royals continue to compete as they are traveling to Arizona to take on SAGU American Indian College on Saturday, December 31st at 1:00 PM in Phoenix, AZ.