Conquistadors upset undefeated No. 17 Gyrenes at Bucky Dent Park. (Nov. 29, 2023)
(Box Score)
HIALEAH, Fla. ( Nov. 29, 2023) – Driven by a 34-point performance from sophomore guard Matthew Robinson, Florida National University pushed past the newly minted No. 17 Ave Maria Gyrenes on November 29 for its first home victory of the 2023-24 season. The Gyrenes (8-1) had a true Icarus and the Sun moment at Bucky Dent Park versus the Conquistadors (2-4), losing their first game in nine contests and shooting an abysmal 7-25 (28%) from the three-point line.
In the first half, AMU went into the break with a fragile 36-30 lead thanks in part to a 10-point half from Noryen Lasley. The Gyrenes had solid production from their bench, with seven points in the period coming from their reserves. Robinson showed flashes of a potentially top-tier performance, leading all FNU players with 12 points on 4-9 shooting from the field despite connecting on just one three-pointer in four attempts. Ray Daniel Parrish had a quiet five points but did serious clean-up work on the glass, scooping up seven rebounds before the break.
In tandem with Robinson, Gary Adams was practically unstoppable in the second. The Gyrenes had no answer for his shot-making ability and craftiness underneath the rim. FNU held a 60-59 lead before a clutch three from Adams put FNU up four with just under eight minutes left to play. FNU never looked back from that point on, staying one step ahead of a tough AMU team down the stretch. Robinson pushed the pace, throwing down three thunderous dunks in the second half that brought the FNU bench to its feet.
What truly made the difference for FNU in the second was an impressive 62% (22-35) shooting performance from the field and the Conquistadors’ defense was stout, causing eight costly Gyrenes turnovers.
With the game standing at 83-77 with under a minute left, Adams fouled Nick Filchner behind the top of the key for his fifth personal of a fantastic game. He exited the contest with 18 points, three assists and five rebounds. Luckily for FNU, Filchner went 1-3 from the line and the Conquistadors closed out the game on a fast break dunk from Robinson and 4-4 shooting from the charity stripe courtesy of Parrish and Robinson.
Parrish posted a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds while Robinson’s 34 burger led all scorers. The Miami native did a little bit of everything, recording two blocks, three steals and five rebounds.
Up Next: FNU men’s basketball tackles an exhibition match Dec. 4 versus Barry University at 7:30 p.m.
