TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. (Jan. 27, 2023) – For the third time this season, Florida National University’s men’s basketball fell to a worthy Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) foe. The Tigers of Voorhees University (9-8) handed the Conquistadors (4-11) a 56-74 loss in Temple Terrace, Fla.
In the first half, FNU shot a respectable 45.8% from the field, yet trailed 43-29 at the break. This deficit was due in large part to the Tigers’ sharp shooting from downtown, as Voorhees connected on seven of 12 shots (58.3%) taken from long range. The Conquistadors had no such luck from behind the arc, ending the half 1-7(14.3%) from the outside.
Jovan Debrito was FNU’s leading scorer at the break recording eight points and snatching up two rebounds in 19 minutes of play. Point guard Marcos Molina followed close behind with six points and two steals, as FNU looked to mount a comeback in the second half.
Four minutes into the second, FNU saw the deficit settle at 13, as the Tigers held the advantage 53-40 after a textbook three from Kristian Ford. The CAC’s latest player of the week Hector Rosario had a craft layup before Matthew Robinson’s three-pointer initiated a full timeout by the Conquistadors in an attempt to build some moments off the score to no avail. Yasmani Torriente was stellar in the second half, knocking down 6-9 shots for 12 second-half points.
FNU shot 12-29 (41.4%) from the floor in the second while Voorhees shot 52.4% (11-21). FNU lost the rebound battle 29-21 but gave up 17 turnovers to the Tigers’ 20. FNU went 1-4 from the charity stripe in the second half while the Tigers hit seven of nine shots attempted from the free-throw line down the stretch.
Torriente was FNU’s leading scorer for the evening with 18 points off the bench to go along with three rebounds and two steals. Debrito and Robinson recorded 15 and 10, respectively.
Up Next: The Conquistadors face Crowley’s Ridge tomorrow at 6 p.m.
