Fullerton, CA - The Hope International University women's basketball team (9-2, 4-1 GSAC) fought hard but fell 73-70 to the No. 2 Westmont Warriors in an instant classic on Saturday evening in the Darling Pavilion.

The matchup between the last two undefeated teams in GSAC play lived up to the hype. After falling behind 4-0 the Royals answered with a 10-0 run led by five points from Shiane Talley to take a 10-4 lead midway through the first quarter. The No. 2 Warriors kept it close though as they raced back to within 15-14 and then 20-18 but the Royals got the final say as Talley drove to the basket and laid it in to put the Royals up 22-18 at the end of the first quarter. The Warriors opened the second quarter with a basket but the Royals had all the answers as they went on a 12-4 run powered by huge back to back threes from Shailissa Jarrett to take a 34-22 lead with 3:25 left. The Warriors quickly fought back as they closed the quarter on a 12-2 run as the upset minded Royals took a 36-34 lead into halftime.

The Warriors continued their momentum into the third as they used a 12-0 run to take 46-36 lead. The Royals quickly regrouped after a timeout and came right back with a big three from Jarrett and a jumped from Ysabelle Halemano as they pulled within 46-41 midway through the third. The Warriors though got their lead back up to 53-41 with 2:37 left. After the teams exchanged scores the Royals closed the quarter on an 8-0 run led by two threes from Talley and a buzzer beater fastbreak from Surie Camacho as they trailed 55-52 at the end of the third. It was the Royals who seized the momentum to start the fourth as they outscored the Warriors 12-3 to take a 64-58 lead on a three by Casey Fust with 6:14 remaining. The Warriors came right back though as they took the lead 67-66 with 2:50 left. Talley then nailed two free throws to put the Royals back up 68-67 just ten seconds later but the Warriors answered as they retook the lead and then hit two late free throws to take a 73-70 lead. The Royals one last chance but were unable to convert as they fell just sort of the upset in a thriller. Talley led the Royals with a double double (31 points, 10 rebounds).

The Royals continue GSAC play at home as they take on No. 17 The Master's on Saturday, December 10 at 5:30 PM in the Darling Pavilion