Conquistadors blown out by Tigers at Cruzin Classic graphic.
Conquistadors drop to 3-7 after blowout loss to Tigers. (Dec. 19, 2023)

(Box Score)

HIALEAH, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2023) – Florida National’s women’s basketball team fell in its second straight contest, this time to the Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers 95-48. The Tigers (8-3) dominated from start to finish, posting 10 threes in the game and shooting 43.3% from the floor. Florida National (3-7) could not get production on the offensive side of the ball, committing 24 turnovers before exiting the Cruzin Classic hosted by St. Thomas University.

In the first two quarters, FNU put themselves in a tough spot after the Tigers jumped to a 30-10 lead in the first period. Grace Fryda posted 12 points from the bench for the Tigers in the frame, while Adalis Arroyo was FNU’s top scorer with four points. Florida National coughed the ball up nine times before the second quarter began and was outrebounded 10-2. The second was a bit more respectable for FNU, as Hermione Hicks had eight points to help the Conquistadors record 15 in the frame. Morgan Edelman and Emma Yost combined for nine in a quarter. The Tigers had 22 points, eight assists and 11 rebounds.

The second half continued to show the Tigers’ offensive prowess, as Dakota Wesleyan outscored FNU 24-11 in the third period. Notably, Janelisse Marty Marrero did have seven points in the frame after a quiet first half of just 1-6 shooting from the field. Marty Marrero would collect four more points in the fourth, as the Tigers iced out FNU on 33.3% shooting and 16 critical boards in the final period.

Marty Marrero ended the night with a team-high 13 points and Hicks followed closely behind with 11. Gabriela Solis had six points off the bench for the Conquistadors. 

Up Next: Florida National heads to Ave Maria, Fla., for the Gyrene Christmas Classic on Dec. 28.