AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (1-2, 0-0) at Ave Maria University Gyrenes (4-0, 0-0)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2019
Where: Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Florida | Tom Golisano Field House
Tipoff: 4 p.m.
Last Meeting: Feb. 16, 2019, Ave Maria win 96-65
Live Stream Video & Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/avemaria/

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Florida Memorial University will be looking to even its record this weekend when it travels to face Ave Maria University Saturday afternoon – the Sun Conference opener for both teams.

The early season conference tilt is a men-and-women doubleheader – with FMU's women's team taking on the Lady Gyrenes at 2 p.m. – and is scheduled to tip-off at 4 p.m. (or shortly after the conclusion of the women's game) at the Tom Golisano Field House in Ave Maria, Florida.

The Lions (1-2), who will be playing the final game of their season-opening four-game road trip Saturday, will be looking to build on the momentum of its 85-79 win over Edward Waters College on November 8th. Florida Memorial got a 20-point, 18-rebound double-double from 7-foot junior Mubashar Ali.

Ali, a Heisinki, Finland native, was an efficient 7-of-11 from the floor and shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the win over EWC. It was also the third consecutive game that Ali snatched down at least 10 rebounds and made him the nation's leader in total rebounds.

"To have a player from Florida Memorial University leading the country in any statistical category is an amazing accomplishment," FMU head coach Ansar Al-Ameen said. "And what is really encouraging is that Mubashar missed six or seven weeks of offseason work with an injury – and he's still been able to play great up to this point. We're really excited to see how he does once he truly gets his rhythm."

While Al-Ameen hopes to continue the trend of having his big man control the backboard, he would also like to see his team snap the trend of finishing the game with double-digit turnovers.

"This is a brand-new group," Al-Ameen said. "The opponents we've played, they all have seniors that have been playing together for years. We have guys that have been playing together for a few weeks. Also, add in the fact that we're relying on freshman guards. But we're working and I know that it'll improve."

If FMU will be successful Saturday, it will have to contain Ave Maria senior wing Leo Behrend. The 6-foot-4, high-jumping Behrend, a First-Team All-Sun Conference performer this past season and the preseason pick for Conference Player of the Year, is once again leading the Gyrenes in scoring (24 points per game) and rebounds (9 rebounds per contest) through four games.

Al-Ameen spoke highly of Behrend and knows that his team's defensive performance against him will be paramount.

"He's a great player," Al-Ameen said. "Guarding him is always tough and we have our work cut out for us in that regard. But I am confident that our guys will be up for the task."