HIALEAH, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2024) – Florida National University’s women’s basketball team has found new life in 2024, earning a much-needed 73-56 win over the No. 23 College of the Ozarks Bobcats at the Florida College Classic. The Conquistadors (5-10) put away the Bobcats (14-5) thanks to huge double-digit performances from Janelisse Marty Marrero, Jullie Ruiz Paneto and Kaylee Llanos. Along with an effective offense, FNU held the Bobcats to 37.3% shooting and just three made three pointers through four quarters.
In the opening frame, FNU found itself slightly ahead of the Bobcats 20-19 off eight quick points from Adalis Arroyo. The lightning-quick guard with a high motor went 2-3 from behind the three point line. The Conquistadors shot 50% from the field and forced five Bobcat turnovers. CO’s Taylor Rush had a team-high seven in the frame while, Susanna Moran and Blythe Benefield recorded four points heading into the second.
Heading into halftime, the Ozarks were held to six points in the period, all of which came courtesy of guard Kayley Frank. FNU saw most of its production come from Llanos and Ruiz Paneto with each guard posting four in the quarter. The Bobcats’ nine turnovers also helped FNU secure an eight-point lead before the break.
The third quarter saw a solid performance from the Bobcats, still trailing by seven heading into the fourth. They shot 53.8% from the field and outscored FNU 20-19 in an attempt to get some momentum going late. Luckily for FNU, Marty Marrero came alive with nine points on 3-4 shooting. CO’s Susanna Moran was perfect from the floor for five third-quarter points.
FNU saw its lead cut to six after a couple of made free throws from Moran with 6:22 on the clock in the fourth. But this was the last time FNU’s lead was threatened in the late goings of the contest. Marty Marrero and Ruiz Paneto were responsible for 15 of FNU’s 21 points in the fourth as CO went 4-17 from the field in its fifth loss this season.
Marty Marrero led all scorers with 19 points while Ruiz Paneto had 17 in the victory. Llanos had her second straight game with 14 points and at least one made three.
Up Next: The Conquistadors head to New College of Florida for a 3 p.m. game on Jan. 16.
