AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (2-8) vs. Edward Waters College Tigers (4-4)
When: December 14, 2019
Where: Florida Memorial University | FMU Wellness Center
Tip-off: 4 p.m.
Last Meeting: Nov. 8, 2019, Win 85-79
Live Stream Video & Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/fmulions/index.htm
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Florida Memorial University's men's basketball team will be looking to sweep the two-game season series against HBCU rival Edward Waters College Saturday when the Lions host the Tigers in the FMU Wellness Center.
The game is set for a 4 p.m. start, but it will actually begin 30 minutes following the conclusion of the FMU-Edward Waters women's game that will tip-off at 2 p.m. as the first game of the rivalry doubleheader.
FMU (2-8) will enter Saturday's game hungry for a victory. Since picking up a Sun Conference win over Webber International University on November 21, the Lions have been on a three-week drought. And it's been a frustrating stretch, too – given that the Lions suffered back-to-back overtime losses by a total of seven points and had a second-half leads in a handful of the four consecutive losses.
One thing that should be encouraging for Florida Memorial head coach
Ansar Al-Ameen heading into Saturday's game should be the fact that his Lions put on one of their best shooting performances of the season the last time they faced Edward Waters. FMU sank 48.3 percent of their shots in the 85-79 victory, including shooting a 5-for-11 clip from behind the arc in the first half of that game. Four Florida Memorial players finished in double figure, led by
Mubashar Ali's 20 points and 18 rebounds.
Edward Waters has been an up-and-down team since it faced Lions three weeks ago. Following their loss to FMU, the Tigers went on a three-game winning streak. However, that three-game winning streak was met with a three-game losing streak, including back-to-back losses to Florida National University.
For Florida Memorial, Ali has become dependable option for double-digit points and rebounds on a given night. What the Lions will need is frontcourt contributions from 6-foot-9 forward
Cheikh Kebe. Kebe's length and athleticism makes him a natural mismatch for most opponents, but he will need to capitalize on his natural gifts and avoid foul trouble. Also, a solid game from guards
Freddy Reeves Jr. and
Omar Outar – in the way of making prudent decisions with the ball and avoiding turnovers – should put the Lions in position to earn their first home victory of the season.
