CONQUISTADORS MEN’S BASKETBALL BEATS MITCHELL COLLEGE

Hialeah Fla. – Florida National University men’s basketball team won its third home game of the season as the Conquistadors overcame Mitchell College in a thrilling battle 81-72. The contest was played on Wednesday night (Dec. 18th) at Bucky Dent Gym, Hialeah, Fla. With the win Florida National improves to a 10-6 record while Mitchell College falls to 2-9.

INSIDE THE MATCH-UP:

Final Score: Florida National University 81, Mitchell College 72
Records: Florida National University (10-6), Mitchell College (2-9)
Location: Bucky Dent Gym – Hialeah, Fla.
Florida National University Starters: Jeffrey Hernandez , Jose Benitez, Hirotaka Ohashi, Kenneth Santos, Nico Rojas

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF

• An early 10-2 run put Florida National in front for good, although Mitchell kept things close for most of the first half. However, the Conquistadors ended the half on a 9-0 run to extend the margin to 41-26 at intermission. The Mariners trailed by double digits for much of the second half but eventually pulled within six with just over a minute remaining. Mitchell was then forced to foul, and Florida National put the game away from the charity stripe. The Conquistadors held an 18-8 scoring advantage at the line on the night despite attempting only four more freebies.

SECOND HALF

• The Mariners trailed by double digits for much of the second half but eventually pulled within six with just over a minute remaining. Mitchell was then forced to foul, and Florida National put the game away from the charity stripe 81-72. The Conquistadors held an 18-8 scoring advantage at the line on the night despite attempting only four more freebies.

GAME STATS:

• FNU shot 42.2% from the field on 19-of-45 shooting overall but was hot from the field in the first half, hitting 52.50%.
• FNU shot 23.1% from downtown on 3-of-13 shooting.
• FNU recorded 73.1 FT% on 19-of-26 shooting overall.
• Mitchell College hit 24.3% of its shots from the paint and 6.5% from the long range.
• Applying the pressure on the defensive side, the Conquistadors forced 16 turnovers and recorded 10 steals.

FNU HIGHLIGHTS:

• Kenneth Santos led FNU with 24 points and she also noted 3 rebounds, 3 assist and 6 steals.
• Jeffrey Hernandez recorded 17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals.
• Hirotaka Ohashi recorded 8 points and he also noted 7 assists.
• Denzel Jenoure led the Conquistadors on the boards with 8 rebounds. He also recorded 5 points and 1 steal.
• Nico Rojascame of the bench with 6 points and 2 rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOX-SCORE:

• FNU record now is 10-6 this season.
• FNU recorded its third home win of the season
• 11 players saw at least five minutes of action for the Conquistadors.
• Florida National out-rebounded Mitchell College 34-32 in the contest.

TEAM LEADERS:

Florida National University

• Points: Kenneth Santos (24)
• Rebounds: Denzel Jenoure (8)
• Assists: Hirotaka Ohashi (7)

WHAT’S NEXT:

Florida National University men’s basketball team will now face Carlow University on Friday, December 20th at 2:00 Pm. The game will take place at Bucky Dent Gym, Hialeaeh, Fla.

STAY CONNECTED: Follow FNU athletics on social Media:

Ruy Castelo Branco – FNU – Sports Information Director

About FNU: Florida National University opened its first class on January 4th, 1988, in the city of Hialeah, Florida, as Florida International Institute under the administration of Dr. José Regueiro, Dr. María C. Regueiro and Mr. Omar Sánchez. FNU Athletic Department has more than 250 student-athletes in 11 different sports. Established in 2013, FNU Athletics is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

The mission of the Florida National University Athletic Department is to provide assistance within an athletic structure that promotes the development of a well rounded education through structured sport and competition, to develop life skills of discipline, integrity, leadership, philanthropy and social responsibility, to elevate ethnic and cultural diversity within the athletic programs, to assure equitable opportunity for all staff and student-athletes, and to make the athletic program a durable source of pride for the student population, student-athletes, alumni, university, and community of FNU.