MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. ( Nov. 27, 2022) – In a heated matchup between the Florida National University Conquistadors and the RV St. Thomas University Bobcats, FNU founds itself adding another contest to the loss column, falling 80-53 Sunday. The Bobcats came into this south Florida showdown 7-0 and now own the best start to a season under head coach Candance Walker’s tenure with the program with eight straight wins. The Conquistadors sit at 2-4 on the young season despite routing the University of Fort Lauderdale by 32 on November 18.
The Conquistadors had a stellar start to the contest, leading 13-6 with four minutes left in the first. Despite a solid shooting performance, the Bobcats went on a 10-0 run going into the second with a four-point lead. Natalie Larranaga leads the way for the Conquistadors with six points in the first.
The second quarter saw the Bobcats put some real distance between themselves and the Conquistadors as STU’s Kasey Gagan had a near double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds. While both teams were shooting poorly from the field, STU outrebounded the Conquistadors 19-7 and shot 8-11 from the free throw line
FNU’s Kaylee Llanos had a slow start to her contest with just five points in the first half. Larranaga kept the Conquistadors in the ball game with 14 points and six rebounds, including a clutch free throw to cut STU’s lead to 36-25 at the end of the second.
The second half saw a defensive clinic on the side of the Bobcats as they forced nine turnovers and recorded six steals. Despite the Conquistadors shooting 61% from the field, FNU had trouble guarding the Bobcast without drawing the foul. STU continued to knock down their shots from the Charity strip on 80% shooting in the period to take a 61-44 lead.Â
In the final quarter, FNU did not have enough in the tank to will itself back into the match. Janelisse Marty Marrero had all nine of her points in the fourth and came alive in the final minutes before the clock signaled the end of the game.
Larranaga record a near double double with 20 points and seven rebounds while Llanos ended her afternoon with 10 points and three rebounds. Tyra Kirlew collected a team-high 10 rebounds.
Up Next: FNU takes on its second exhibition match of the year, this time against Barry University November 29 at 5:30 p.m.
