BABSON PARK, Fla. (November 28, 2020) – Using three different runs in the second half, the Florida National men’s basketball team (2-6) pushed the Webber International Warriors (3-5) to the brink, but could not come away with the win, falling 91-86 on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Kenneth Santos led all Conquistadors with 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting (6-of-12 from 3-point range). Santos also converted 5-of-6 attempts from the free-throw line. He grabbed five rebounds, posted three steals and tallied two assists. Junior Jeffrey Hernandez added 21 points on 8-of-20 shooting, including two treys while leading the team with seven rebounds. Rounding out the team’s leading scorers was senior Jose Benitez, who scored 19 points on 9-of-18 shooting.
Trailing 46-39 after 20 minutes of action, the Conquistadors chipped away at the Warriors lead, outscoring WIU, 16-8, over the opening 5:07 of the second half to take the team’s first lead since the 14:39 mark of the first half (16-13). A 3-pointer by Benitez capped off the run to make the score 55-54. However, the Warriors regained the lead following a pair of made free-throws by Jaylon Myles with 13:49 on the clock.
WIU tried to pull away but FNU kept the game close, tying the contest, 63-63, with 10:23 left as Santos netted his 22nd point on a made jump shot. The game continued to remain close with the Warriors holding a slight lead over the next eight minutes before sophomore Hirotaka Ohashi converted a fast-break layup to tie the game at 84-all. The play was set up on a steal by Santos (his third of the game). However, WIU used a 7-4 run to close out the game and hand the Conquistadors the five-point loss.
The Conquistadors ended the afternoon, shooting 44.7 percent from the floor (34-of-76) and was 10-of-28 from 3-point land (35.7 percent). WIU made 37-of-66 from the field (56.1 percent) and shot just five 3-points, making two (40.0 percent). The Warriors held a 43-35 advantage in rebounds, while FNU maintain a slight edge on the offensive boards, 11-10.
FNU will return to action on Tuesday, December 1, taking on St. Thomas in Miami Gardens, Florida. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
