NORTH MIAMI, FL. (Feb. 15, 2024) – Florida National University (9-13) took on a solid University of Fort Lauderdale (12-10) squad on Feb. 15 to close out the 2024 regular season with an 81-67 loss. FNU came into North Miami, Fla., with five straight wins and six victories in their last eight contests.
In the first half, UFTL got off to a 0-7 lead before free throws from Girardi Cubillan and Ray Daniel Parrish combined for FNU’s first two points of the evening. Soon enough, FNU used a 10-point period from Parrish and 13 from Jovan Debrito to head into halftime leading 30-28. UFTL’s Mark Lancaster and Christion Dejean did most of the heavy lifting for the Eagles, combining for 21 of UFTL’s first-half points.
The Conquistadors won the rebounding battle in the first 19-14 yet kept the Eagles in the game with nine costly turnovers.
In the second half, UFTL retook the lead on two free throws from Benez Woodard and a three from Vugar Kuliev. Timely scores, however, from Debrito and Ralph Laurent gave FNU a fragile 36-35 lead. The half stayed close as both teams traded blows, looking for a big run to present itself. Midway through the period, FNU shot 53.1%, as UFTL stayed close behind at 46.3%.
With nine lead changes and seven ties with ten minutes left, the Eagles went on a 9-6 run for a 60-57 lead with 6:28 left on the clock. The Eagles continued to play smart on offense, taking a six-point lead later in the contest on a layup from Kuliev. FNU fell behind 72-62 on a three from Lancaster. Before the shot, FNU had posted a two-minute scoring drought. The Eagles began winning the rebounding battle down low, getting second-chance points and extending possession.
FNU could not will its way back into the game, falling short of the win after allowing the Eagles to shoot 55.4%. Three Eagles ended the night in double figures while Debrito led all scorers with 27. Parrish and Gary Adams each had 14, while UFTL outrebounded FNU 29-25.
Up Next: FNU awaits seeding for the CAC Tournament hosted by Haskell Indian Nations University.
