FNU exits Gyrene Christmas Classic with 78-60 loss to SMWC. (Dec. 29, 2023)
(Box Score)
HIALEAH, Fla. (Dec. 29, 2023) – Florida National University’s women’s basketball team dropped its fourth straight game after a loss to the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Pomeroys on Dec. 29. The Conquistadors finished their time at the Gyrene Christmas Class in Ave Maria, Fla., with a tough 78-60 setback versus a fundamentally sound SMWC squad. The Pomeroys claimed the first win in program history versus FNU thanks in part to eight made threes and 19 offensive rebounds.
The first quarter saw the Pomeroys jump to a 19-11 lead after Madison Fueger knocked down three shots and two free throws for an eight-point frame. Brooklynn Jones and Irye Gomez combined for 11 points while FNU’s Janelisse Marty Marrero kept her team within striking distance thanks to seven crucial points.
Before halftime, Adalis Arroyo and Marty Marrero posted six in the second despite SMWC outscoring the Conquistadors 19-14 in the period. Two for seven shooting from the
Pomeroys from three helped to keep them in front while FNU shot the ball effectively before the break at 40%.
In the third, the Pomeroys blew the game open with an impressive 23-point quarter, shooting 47.1% from the floor. FNU struggled to get back the offensive groove they found in the second, shooting just 28.6% in the period. The Conquistadors also committed five turnovers and went 0-4 from three. Notably, Jaycee Omeir and Kyla Cruz Baez were both perfect from the field and combined for 10 of FNU’s 14 points in the third.
The fourth was FNU’s strongest quarter of the game but was not enough to pull off the upset. They outscored the Pomeroys 21-17 and posted six offensive rebounds in the frame. Cruz Baez continued to shine with seven points in the fourth, while Arroyo followed closely behind with six.
Arroyo led all FNU players with 16 points to go along with eight rebounds and three steals. Marty Marrero and Cruz Baez ended the night in double figures with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Up Next: FNU kicks off 2024 with a 5 p.m. game against the Johnson University Suns on Jan. 9.
