HIALEAH, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2024) – Florida National’s women’s basketball team (8-10) continues to roll with a statement 66-54 win over the Florida Memorial University Lions at Bucky Dent Park. The Conquistadors weathered a great comeback from FMU in the second half before closing out the game from behind the arc and the free throw line.
In the opening periods, FNU held a strong 33-16 lead thanks to 18 first-half points from Kaylee Llanos. The guard from Hialeah, Fla., went 4-4 from three in the second to lead all FNU scorers up to that point in the game. FNU did a good job of pressuring the Lions, forcing 12 FMU turnovers before halftime.
After the break, FMU started chipping away at FNU’s lead, outscoring the Conquistadors 20-14 in the third. Dasiah Thornton and Quameerah Peterson-Gray combined for 11 in the frame while Jullie Ruiz Paneto went 2-4 from the field on the way to six points. FMU stayed with their transition attack and Thornton’s layup made it a 53-49 FNU lead with 4:40 left on the clock.
Llanos and Ruiz Paneto helped calm the tension with a clutch three and a couple of free throws, respectively. Llanos completed a four-point play on her three point make and essentially shut the door on an FMU comeback putting FNU up by eight. FNU went 5-5 from the line down the stretch to win its eighth contest this season.
A 6-12 performance from long range helped Llanos end the night with 24 points. Ruiz Paneto had a team-high 25 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists.
Up Next: Florida National competes in the CAC Classic hosted by Crowley’s Ridge College starting Feb. 2.
