TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. ( Jan. 28, 2023) – Florida National University’s men’s basketball team collected its fourth conference loss, as the Conquistadors (4-12) have gone 1-3 in its last four Continental Athletic Conference match ups. Their latest opponent, the Pioneers of Crowley’s Ridge College (7-15), handed FNU an 87-73 loss Saturday night to conclude the CAC Classic hosted by Florida College.
The Pioneers got off to a solid start, earning a 40-28 lead at halftime. FNU had a decent performance from the floor shooting 12-29 ( 41.4%) for the period, thanks in part to a 10-point half from Matthew Robinson. Guard Yasmani Torriente got the early start after an 18-point night against Voorhees and got off a much-needed five points on 2-3 shooting. Both teams took six shots from the charity stripe but CRC went 5-6 (83.3%) while FNU connected on just three shots taken from the line.
The Conquistadors once again had trouble shooting from long range, as Marcos Molina had the lone three-pointer in the half despite FNU’s 10 attempts from behind the arc. While FNU could not connect from downtown, the Pioneers went 3-7 (42.9%) nursing a comfortable lead heading into the second half.
Jovan Debrito came alive in the second with 13 points and two rebounds after going scoreless in the first. Despite some signs of life from Debrito, FNU could not dig themselves out of their early game mistakes despite keeping things close down the stretch. FNU gave up just four turnovers while forcing up 10 takeaways on the other end. Robinson and Torriente recorded 11 and 16 points in the second on a combined 11-15 (73.3%) shooting from the floor.
The Conquistadors’ shooting woes at the free throw line disappeared, as FNU went 4-4 in the second. But the Pioneers did just enough to keep themselves ahead, shooting 18-29 (62.1%) from the floor in the period and had four players in double digits.
Torriente and Robinson ended the night with 21 points apiece to lead the Conquistadors. Molina and Debrito put up 10 and 13 points, respectively.
Up Next: FNU hits the road in hopes of another win against Ave Maria Feb. 2 at 8:00 PM
