FNU handled by No.1-ranked Marian. (March 15, 2024)
(Box Score)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. (March 15, 2024) – Florida National University’s women’s basketball team (15-12) did not pull off an upset in the first round of the NAIA national tournament against the No. 1-ranked Marian University Knights (31-1). Florida National struggled shooting from three, ending the game 8-30 (26.7%) in the 95-67 loss. Marian played in front of a home crowd in Indianapolis, Indiana, earning its staggering 29th straight victory this season.
In the first half, Marian held a commanding 23-15 lead after the first. Jullie Ruiz Paneto did most of the heavy lifting in the frame, picking up 10 points in the quarter. Janelisse Marty Marrero and Kaylee Llanos combined for the rest of FNU’s points before both teams headed to the second frame.
Marian showcased why they are the overall No.1 seed in the tournament, shooting 76.9% before heading to halftime. Allison Bosse had 12 points in the half as FNU forced eight turnovers in the second. Kyla Cruz Baez was the lone Conquistador to sink a three as FNU went 1-8 from long range.
In the third, FNU cut Marian’s lead to 10 after a 6-0 run was capped off by a three from sharpshooter Kaylee Llanos with 6:06 left on the clock. Despite a competitive period, the Knights ended the period up 76-52. Former NAIA Player of the Year, Ella Collier, went off for 14 points on a 4-4 performance from three.
Florida National put up a solid fight in the fourth despite shooting just 22.2% from the floor. Marian closed out the game and booked their ticket to the second round of the tournament, outsourcing FNU 19-15 and knocking down seven threes in the fourth.
Llanos connected on five threes en route to a team-high 20 points. Ruiz Paneto also had 20 in the loss, while Adalis Arroyo led all FNU rebounders with eight boards.
