LAKE WALES, Fla. - Senior center Drew Whitaker might not be expected to provide a bulk of the three-point shooting for Embry-Riddle University based on his size, but the 6-9 Orlando, Florida native showed what the No. 8 Eagle coaching staff has always known he can light it up from downtown. Tonight was no different as the Lake Highland Prep product took control of the game midway through the second half and helped ERAU post an 86-78 victory.

After both teams battled to a 40-40 tie at halftime, both teams battled back-and-forth in the opening minutes of the second half.  With the score tied at 51-51 with 13:32 to go in the contest, Whitaker ignited a 17-3 run with three long-range buckets over the next six minutes to give the Eagles (16-3, 1-0 FSC) a 68-54 advantage with 7:35 to go. Whitaker hit the first three at the 13:14 mark and then sank his second with 11:48 to go and then gave the Eagles a 12-point advantage with his third three. He finished the night with 14 points off the bench going 4-for-4 from downtown and added three boards, one assist and one steal.

Despite the big surge, Warner Southern (9-7, 0-1 FSC) responded with 15-2 run rallying behind the loud crowd of 362 faithful in the Turner Athletic Center cutting the ERAU lead to just one point at 70-69 with 3:10 to go. Chris Brach sparked the run with two three-pointers and added a free throw. He entered the night converting 61 percent of this three-point attempts and had missed his first three shots of the night from inside the arc, but connected when the Royals needed it.

Embry-Riddle went to one of its three-point specialists in Denver Cobb who hit his third of the game and then Tyler DeBord got three the hard way with a layup and bonus free throw to build a 76-69 lead. Following a three-pointer by Warner's Brandon Hamilton, Cobb sank three free throws after being fouled behind the arc and the Eagles lead never dipped below five in the final minutes of the game. Cobb finished the night with 18 points, seven boards, two assists, one block and two steals. Hamilton finished with 15 points to lead all Royal scorers and Errol Porteous finished with 10 points and 11 boards.

Nick Miller added 17 points and eight rebounds, while DeBord added 16 points, five boards, two assists, two blocks and a steal.

ERAU will face No. 19 Northwood (Fla.) on Saturday Jan. 13 in the Eagles conference home-opener, the Seahawks are coached by NCAA Division veteran head coach Rollie Massimino and hold a 13-3 overall record entering the night. NU hosted Florida Memorial this evening in West Palm Beach, Fla.