Fullerton, CA - The Hope International University men's basketball team (15-7, 8-5 GSAC) battled hard but couldn't overcome the No. 4 Firestorm on Saturday afternoon at home in the Darling Pavilion.

The game was a battle early on as the Royals gave the No. 4 Firestorm all they could handle. With the Firestorm up 6-5 the Royals forced several turnovers which led to an 8-2 run finished off by a three from Charles Neal that put the Royals up 13-8. The Firestorm came back to make it 18-17 but the Royals quickly stepped up the pressure again and used a big 10-3 run finished off with two big free throws from Gaven Ramirez to put them up 27-21. The Firestorm wouldn't be denied though and came back to tie the game 32-32 before going on a 11-1 run to take a 43-33 advantage with 2:29 to go. The Royals would come back to get within six on a big fastbreak dunk by Rasheet Wilson but the Firestorm would score the final points of the half as the Royals trailed 51-42 at the half.

The Royals started the second half strong as a Jalani Horn layup pulled the Royals within Royals wouldn't go away easily as they pulled back within 55-48. The Firestorm would quickly answer though as they pulled back out to a 59-48 advantage. The Royals wouldn't go down easily as they went on a 10-2 run finished off by a layup from Sebastian Castro to make it 61-58 with 13:00 to go. The Firestorm answered as they stretched their lead back out 75-66 with 5:57 to go. The Royals continued to fight as they used a quick 6-0 run finished off by a Neal layup to make it 75-72 with 4:37 left. The Firestorm had all the answers though as they went on to win 89-82. Wilson led the Royals with 21 points.

The Royals continue action as they head to Santa Clarita, CA to take on The Master's on Thursday, February 2 at 7:30 PM.