FULLERTON – Junior Jorren Edmonds hit two free throws with 7.9 seconds left for the winning points in Hope International's 79-76 victory against Keiser (Fla.) in NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament Second Round action on Saturday at Darling Pavilion.

The Royals booked their ticket to the NAIA MBB National Championship Final Site Round of 16 in Kansas City for the second time in school history – and first since 2015.

With the Royals trailing 76-75, Edmonds drove to the basket and drew a fifth foul on Cameron Baldwin, who had a game-high five blocked shots. Edmonds calmly sank both free throws to give the Royals a one-point lead. The Seahawks raced down court for a potential game-winning shot attempt, but the ball got knocked away from Camerin James and fell into the hands of Edmonds.

Nadir Myers fouled Edmonds with less than a second remaining, and the guard again splashed both free throws for a 79-76 HIU lead. The Seahawks inbounded the ball with a desperation heave down court, and the Royals batted the ball away as the buzzer sounded, ensuring that HIU would head to Kansas City next week as one of 16 teams still in the hunt for the Red Banner.

The second half alone featured nine ties and 13 lead changes, as both teams waged an incredible battle for supremacy.

Edmonds scored the final seven points for HIU, including a crucial three-pointer with 47 seconds to go that gave the hosts a 75-72 lead. The Royals shot 61.1 (11 of 18) percent overall from distance – the team's third-best single-game effort this season.

James put forth a dominant second half performance in which he scored 17 of his game-high 26 points. He was responsible for Keiser's last nine points, shooting 7 of 8 at the foul line. His two free throws gave the Seahawks a 76-75 lead with 13 ticks left on the clock.

The Royals created a 64-57 lead with 7:39 remaining following two Addy G'Bye free throws, but an 8-0 Keiser run put the visitors back on top by one just three minutes later. HIU received huge three-pointers from Aman Haynes and Darvelle Wyatt – giving the Royals leads of 69-66 and 72-71.

HIU shot an incredible 9 of 9 from beyond the arc in the second half to offset a 28 of 37 performance at the foul line for Keiser. The Royals finished the game 16 of 24 at the charity stripe.

The Seahawks (25-6) controlled the momentum for a majority of the first half as the Royals made just three of their first 13 shots. Keiser led 22-10 midway through the first half following two Jaylen Lee free throws.

But the Royals responded with a 22-9 run and grabbed a 32-31 lead after Nick Hopkins got inside for a layup.

Nadir Myers hit a three with 16 seconds remaining to hand the Seahawks a 37-36 edge at halftime.

In a game this close, it was only fitting that both teams were equal in terms of points in the paint (24-24) and bench points (23-23). Keiser held the slightest advantages in points off turnovers (22-19) and second chance points (24-19).

Hopkins led the Royals with 20 points before fouling out with 2:30 to go. He hit 7 of 12 shots, including both three-point attempts, and added four assists and two steals. 

Haynes contributed 20 points on 8 of 12 shots, tacking on seven rebounds with five coming on the offensive glass. It was his 10th 20-point game of the season.

G'Bye also had a solid game with 16 points, including three triples. 

The fourth Royal to hit double figures was Edmonds with 10 points. He chipped in four assists and a steal. More importantly, he did not commit a turnover in either the first or second round games, a span of 54 minutes.

In addition to his 26 points, James added 10 rebounds for a double-double.

In the Cramer Quadrant, third-seeded HIU joins No. 2 seed Indiana Wesleyan, No. 8 seed Benedictine Mesa and No. 12 seed Faulkner (Ala.) in Kansas City.

The Royals (25-6) meet Indiana Wesleyan in a round of 16 game on Thursday, March 19 at 12:30 p.m.  All games at the final site will take place at the historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City.