HIALEAH, Fla. (Dec. 28, 2023) – Florida National University’s women’s basketball team (3-8) suffered its eighth setback this season following a 72-57 loss to the Ave Maria University Gyrenes (7-5) on Dec. 28. The Conquistadors visited Ave Maria, Fla., for day one of the Gyrene Christmas Classic and were unceremoniously handed their third straight defeat. This is AMU’s third win in four meetings against FNU dating back to 2019.
The first quarter was a close affair, as each team worked through some cold shooting from the field. Adalis Arroyo and Janelisse Marty Marrero were responsible for all 11 of FNU’s points while the Conquistadors shot 26.3% from the field. The Gyrenes held a slight advantage after the first, posting 13 points on 27.8% shooting from the floor and 2-10 shooting from three.
Before the half, AMU took a commanding 36-25 lead after a 23-point second quarter. Casey Humphrey was essential to the Gyrenes’ run in the second, with seven points and 2-3 shooting in the period. FNU was held to just 14 points in the frame and Arroyo continued to shine with six points off a made three and a solid three-point play at the rim. Delores Charlton followed closely behind with four points off the bench as FNU looked to recover from some second-quarter woes for a more productive third heading into the break.
FNU went on to have its best offensive quarter in the third as the Conquistadors outscored AMU 19-18. Marty Marrero knocked down two attempts from the field while Gabriela Solis and Charlton combined for five points from the bench. Despite a collective effort from the Conquistadors, AMU held on to a 10-point lead heading into the fourth. FNU was held to just one point in the first three minutes of play and Humphrey’s jumper with four minutes left put the Gyrenes in front 68-50. AMU ended the frame shooting 43.8% and outscored FNU 18-13 for its seventh win in 2023.
Marty Marrero led all scorers with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds to go along with a team-high six assists. Arroyo ended her night with 14 points and Charlton had a solid contest with nine points and two steals.
Up Next: The Lady Conquistadors look to exit the Gyrene Christmas Classic with a win over St. Mary of the Woods College Dec. 29 at 4 p.m.
