Fullerton, CA - The Hope international University Men's Basketball Team (18-2, 6-0) secured a thrilling victory over the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles (8-11, 3-3 GSAC) on Thursday Evening in the Darling Pavilion. 

The Royals got off to a quick start as a block from CJ Fisher led to his own three-pointer, assisted by Sebastian Castro, to open the scoring. The Eagles quickly responded with a basket of their own, but  Royals guard Aaron Wadman added two points from the free throw line to maintain the early lead. The first half was a back and forth battle with both teams trading baskets. Following a 30 second timeout by the Eagles, Royals forward Josh Hardiman scored in the paint giving the Royals a 29-26 advantage with 2:49 left in the half. The Eagles kept up the pressure, tying the game at 30-30 with a layup in the final minute of the half. 

Out of halftime, the Royals found their rhythm on both ends of the floor. A steal by Grant Sii led to a dunk by Hardiman, assisted by Sii, followed by Nick Hopkins sinking two free throws to put the Royals ahead 34- 30 with 18 minutes left in the second half. However, the Eagles refused to back down, answering with a three-pointer and two free throws to take their first lead of the game at 35-34 with 17:13 remaining. The Royals responded quickly. Sii hit a three pointer, Hopkins threw down a dunk after a steal by Cameron Dashiell, and Hopkins added another layup to push the Royals' lead to 41-35 with 16:19 left. The Eagles stayed within striking distance cutting the lead to one point at 50-49 with a three pointer at the 9:57 mark. The game remained a back and forth battle with both teams exchanging baskets. The Royals created some temporary separation through their defense late in the second half. Again Royals guard Dashiell recorded consecutive steals that were converted to two free throws by Hopkins giving the Royals a 58-52 lead with 6:56 left in the game. The Eagles battled back, tying the score at 59-59 with a three pointer at the 4:18 mark. They then pulled ahead with 1:16 remaining. In the final moments Royals guard Jonah Felix sank one free throw to bring the Royals within one point as the Eagles at 66-65. Shortly after, Nick Hopkins scored a clutch layup, putting the Royals ahead 67-66. In a tense back and forth sequence, Hopkins sealed the game with a free throw in the final three seconds, securing a hard fought 68-66 victory for the Royals. Nick Hopkins completed the game with 21 points and 4 rebounds and Sebastian Castro with 11 points and 3 rebounds

The Royals will continue GSAC conference play on the road as they face the Life Pacific Warriors this Saturday at 7:30 PM in San Dimas, CA.
 

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