HIALEAH, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2024) – Florida National University’s men’s basketball team welcomed its first win under interim head coach Daniel Pressman with a stellar 96-68 trouncing of the College of the Ozark Bobcats. FNU (4-11) was feeling it from the floor, posting a 53.7% shooting performance from the field. The Bobcats (7-8) were essentially shut down, giving up 18 turnovers in their first game of the Florida College Classic in Temple Terrace, Fla.
In the opening half, FNU held a commanding 17-point lead after a 12-point first half from Jovan Debrito. FNU shot an impressive 38.5% from three and forced 11 Ozark turnovers. Ray Daniel Parrish was locked in early, going 4-7 from the field on his way to 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. Bobcat duo Jay Baxter and Garrett Snyder had a near identical offensive performance in the first with 4-5 shooting and nine points on the board.
FNU did not lose its intensity entering the second, outscoring the Bobcats 52-41 in the period. Matias Montezuma did his best Stephen Curry impersonation, connecting on four of five three-pointers attempted in 12 minutes of playtime. FNU went on a 16-9 run through the first five minutes of the half, despite CO’s Caleb Faulkner outsourcing all players in the frame with 15. The Bobcats were also perfect from the free throw line while FNU went 5-7. But the Bobcats could not handle FNU’s offense at full force. Gary Adams and Ronald Fernandez contributed seven points each as FNU closed out its first win of Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) play.
FNU now stands at 1-1 in CAC play this season. Debrito had 22 points in just his second game with the Conquistadors. Adams and Parrish ended the night with 20.
Up Next: FNU visits New College of Florida on Jan. 16 at 6 p.m.
