Jacksonville, Fla. – For their first meeting in school history the Florida National University men’s basketball team ended up meeting National Power #6 Stillman College at the Edward Waters College Classic this past weekend. The conquistadors have been on the road for most of October and November with no signs of slowing down. The game between both teams was one to see. Stillman College known for being a National Power in the NAIA D1 and the SSAC was looking to be just that a power over the conquistadors, but the FNU men’s basketball team had their own feeling about this game. The Conquistadors came out and did what they do best and shout the ball very well from the floor, shooting over 50% from behind the arc. Stillman College made their runs but just could not stop the scoring from both Jeffrey Hernandez (28 pts) and Kenneth Santos (18 pts). The next young man from the conquistadors to make sure this game was going to end with the conquistadors win was Hirotaka Ohashi, Stillman College had now answer for him as he put ball pusher on the Stillman tigers all game long and could not be guarded himself. Stillman College sealed their fate with them fouling the 5’3 Japanese guard to hit two free-throw’s and win the game for the Conquistadors 86-85. The Conquistadors also came away win a win vs the University of the Bahamas on Friday night also played at the EWC Classic in Jacksonville, Florida.
INSIDE THE MATCH-UP:
Final Score: Florida National University 86, Stillman College 85
Records: Florida National University (5-3), Stillman College (4-1)
Location: Adams-Jenkins Center – Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida National University Starters: Jeffrey Hernandez , Jose Benitez, Hirotaka Ohashi, Kenneth Santos, Nico Rojas
GAME STATS:
- FNU shot 53.3% from the field on 32-of-60 shooting overall but was hot from the field in the first half, hitting 49.00%.
- FNU shot 52.4% from downtown on 11-of-21 shooting.
- FNU recorded 84.6 FT% on 11-of-13 shooting overall.
- Stillman College hit 43.2% of its shots from the paint and 29.6% from the long range.
- Applying the pressure on the defensive side, the Conquistadors forced 12 turnovers and recorded 7 steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Conquistadors came out and did what they do best and shout the ball very well from the floor, shooting over 50% from behind the arc.
- Stillman College made their runs but just could not stop the scoring from both Jeffrey Hernandez (28 points) and Kenneth Santos (18 points).
- The next young man from the conquistadors to make sure this game was going to end with the conquistadors win was Hirotaka Ohashi, Stillman College had now answer for him as he put ball pusher on the Stillman tigers all game long and could not be guarded himself.
- Stillman College sealed their fate with them fouling the 5’3 Japanese guard to hit two free-throw’s and win the game for the Conquistadors 86-85.
FNU HIGHLIGHTS:
- J. Hernandez scored a game-high 28 points, and added 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
- Kenneth Santos led the Conquistadors on the boards with 4 rebounds and he also scored 18 points.
- Thomas Dillon came of the bench with 7 points and he also noted 4 rebounds and recorded 3 assists.
- Nico Rojas recorded 18 points and 4 rebounds.
- Jose Benitez led the Conquistadors in assists recording 7 assists in the contest.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- FNU record now is 5-3 this season.
- FNU improves its on the road record to 4-2.
- 7 players saw at least 10 minutes of action for the Conquistadors.
- Stillman College out-rebounded Florida National 44-28 in the contest.
Head Coach James “JJ” Thatcher said: ” it was a great win for the University and men’s basketball team, to go on the road and beat a National power program is great, Stillman College is a very good ball team and will make a run in the NAIA National Tournament, but today was about our guys and them leaving everything on the court”.
TEAM LEADERS:
Florida National University
- Points: J. Hernandez (28)
- Rebounds: Kenneth Santos (4)
- Assists: Jose Benitez (7)
WHAT’S NEXT:
Florida National University men’s basketball team will now face Florida Memorial University on Tuesday, November 19th at 7:30 Pm. The game will take place at Miami Gardens, FL.
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.
