Lions protect their den, defeat FNU 80-60. (Nov. 10, 2023)
(Box Score)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. ( Nov. 10, 2023) – Despite a promising first quarter, Florida National University’s women’s basketball team fell short of the mark against the Florida Memorial University Lions Friday. FMU’s (2-2) 80-60 win over FNU (0-2) is the ninth win for the Lions in as many meetings between these two South Florida schools. The last time these two teams squared off was Jan 18, when FMU got a 100-57 win on the road.
In the first, FNU kept the game close with the Lions leading 17-12. Catalina Valenzuela, Janelisse Marty Marrero and Louise Pilley split the work evenly with four points each in the period. FMU’s Chantel Barnett led all scorers through one with seven points, while both teams ended the quarter shooting in the low thirties.
When play continued in the second, FNU shot better than FMU from the field, going 42.9% from the field. Marty Marrero connected on all three shots from long distance for nine points in the frame, yet FNU trailed 34-27 at the half. FNU’s free-throw woes in their 101-62 loss to Keiser persisted in this contest, as FNU went 0-7 from the line while FMU converted six out of seven shots from the charity stripe.
The second half saw FNU take its foot off the gas, allowing the Lions to outscore them 28-15. Dasiah Thornton posted 16 points in nine minutes on the court. Notably, Pilley came alive for four points down low but the Conquistadors coughed up the ball seven times. FMU weathered a solid effort from FNU in the fourth to make things a little more respectable. FNU shot 53% from the field and held FMU to 5-18 shooting down the stretch.
Marty Marrero continues to score the ball well with 26 points, three rebounds and two assists. Pilley had a solid night, teetering on a double-double with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Up Next: The Conquistadors host St. Thomas University on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
