HIALEAH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2024) – Florida National University’s women’s basketball team (7-10) continues to peak at the right time, delivering a 93-42 win over the Morris College Hornets (2-16) Monday. The Conquistadors got off to an impressive 15-0 lead to start the contest and never took their foot off the gas. Morris struggled to get their offense in rhythm and break FNU’s stellar full-court pressure. The Hornets had 27 turnovers as FNU improved to 3-1 against Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) teams this season and 2-0 versus conference opponents at home.
Florida National ended the first up 36-11 thanks to 13 points from Jullie Ruiz Paneto. Along with scoring the ball, Ruiz Paneto found sprinting forward Louise Pilley multiple times as the Fareham, England, native had five first-quarter points. Guard Janelisse Marty Marrero was hot from the floor early with 12 points as FNU forced 10 turnovers and collected nine steals.
The Hornets continued to struggle in the second, getting outscored by FNU 19-15. Ruiz Paneto added seven points to her first-half total in the frame as MC’s Dazejah Lanham was feeling it from midrange for 10 points on 3-5 shooting from the field. Pilley ran the floor well for four points and Kaylee Llanos posted one made three in the period before both teams headed to halftime.
When play resumed in the third quarter, Morris was held to just 11 points while FNU ended the frame up 72-37. Ruiz Paneto and Marty Marrero combined for eight points while Kyla Cruz Baez, Adalis Arroyo and Tyra Kirlew put up two before the end of the period. Notably, FNU closed out Morris in the fourth as Arroyo took over the frame down the stretch with a quick five points. Llanos was stellar in transition once again, going 4-5 from the field for nine points in FNU’s seventh victory of the season.
FNU shot 50% through four quarters and Ruiz Paneto led the way with a near triple-double, posting 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Llanos and Pilley ended the night in double figures with 17 and 16 points, respectively. Marty Marrero had 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Up Next: Florida Memorial heads to Bucky Dent Park for a 5 p.m. game against FNU.
