MCPHERSON, Kansas – Tonight would be the first time since 09' that the Tigers and Royals have played against each other. The Tigers entered the game today eager to get the 2021-22' season off on the right track.
 
MATCH SUMMARY
 
1^st Half
Reece Warren got the 1^st Tiger points of the season after nailing a 3 point jumper. The first 5' minutes of the match the Tigers built a small lead, but the Royals answered back each time as they were all tied up 8-8 with 15' minutes remaining.
 
During the next 5' minutes the Royals would go on 12-4 run as they built a 8 point lead, 20-12, their largest lead of the night. Tigers responded over the next 5 minutes with some solid defense and efficient possessions to get the game back to 23-23.
 
To close the half, the Royals go on a 12-6 run to hold the 6 point advantage over the Tigers, 35-29.
 
2^nd Half
 
Tigers got out to the ideal start out of the locker room as they grabbed their lead since 16' minutes remaining in the 1^st half. Tigers found themselves up 44-42 with 15:37' remaining.
Tigers battled through the next several possessions and found themselves with a slight advantage 60-55 with 9:26' to go. Tigers built their lead to 64-58, but the Royals responded with 2-3 pointers unanswered as the game gets knotted up at 64-64, 5:19 remaining.

Tigers hit a clutch 3 with 1:31 remaining, 72-69, Royals got a pair of free throws on their next possession to get within 1 point. Then after a Tiger turnover, which lead to another pair of free throws the Royals held the 73-72 advantage over the Tigers with 0:12 left. A timely foul, that lead to a Royal tech put Reece Warren on the charity stripe. Warren would hit 3 of 4 free throws to put the Tigers up 75-73 with a couple of clicks remaining. Royals missed the full court heave and the Tigers walk away with a nail biting victory to open the season.

This game was exciting as there would be 10 lead changes and 14 ties, both teams would have their largest lead at 8, but the final lead change was the most important.
 
UP NEXT
Tigers improve to 1-0, and will quickly turn around and head down to Oklahoma City, OK to play in the Oklahoma City Thunder Stadium (Paycom Center) against Southwestern College (Kan.) tip-off at 12:45 p.m.

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN QUOTES

Head Coach Tony Romero

"Great team win tonight. We were battle tested with guys out tonight, foul trouble, and a back and forth game. It definitely wasn't a pretty game, but it was good to be in those situations throughout, we get stronger in those moments. I thought a lot of guys stepped up. It wasn't our best shooting night and a lot of errors on defense but those are all learning moments. Credit to Ecclesia, that is probably the best NCCAA team we have played in a very long time. They were big, physical, athletic and well coached."

"We are excited for tomorrow's game at the OKC Thunder Arena."