Irvine, CA – The Hope International University Royals (2-1) faced off against the Concordia Eagles in an exhibition game on Saturday afternoon, falling short with a final score of 60-66.

The game began with a challenging start for the Royals, as the Eagles quickly established a 6-0 lead. Nick Hopkins put the Royals on the board with an early layup, but Concordia continued to extend their lead. Despite this, the Royals responded well, particularly through Hopkins, who kept them close with consistent scoring in the paint. As the half progressed, the Royals began to find their rhythm, trading baskets with the Eagles.

A pivotal moment came when Sebastian Castro and Grant Sii hit crucial shots, allowing the Royals to take the lead just before halftime. The Royals extended their advantage with easy buckets from Josh Hardiman and a free throw by Aaron Wadman. Their defensive effort stifled the Eagles' scoring, and the Royals ended the first half ahead, 31-27.

After the break, the Royals maintained their momentum with a quick layup from Hardiman. However, the Eagles began to find openings in the Royals' defense, and a close jumper by Joseph Locandro allowed Concordia to reclaim the lead. The game turned into a back-and-forth contest, but the Eagles gained a second wind, scoring several consecutive baskets that helped them pull ahead.

As the game neared its conclusion, the Royals struggled to convert key layups while the Eagles capitalized on their chances. With just a minute left, the Royals found themselves down by eight points. Despite a valiant effort, including two late three-pointers from Grant Sii to narrow the gap, the Eagles secured their victory with free throws in the final seconds.

The Royals will aim to rebound from this loss when they face Loyola University New Orleans at Darling Pavilion in Fullerton, CA, on Friday, November 8th, at 5:00 PM.