AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (2-7, 1-2) at St. Thomas University Bobcats (3-2, 1-2)
When: Saturday, December 7, 2019
Where: St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, Fla. | Fernandez Family Center
Tip-off: 4 p.m.
Last Meeting: Jan. 19, 2019, Loss 78-80
Live Stream Video & Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/stu/
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Losing always has and always will stink.
For Florida Memorial University's men's basketball team, which has lost its past three games, Saturday represents a golden opportunity for it to not only snap the snide but also pick up a huge conference win when it travels to face neighborhood rival St. Thomas University.
The Lions (2-7, 1-2 Sun Conference) are scheduled to take the floor at 4 p.m., but it could be either sooner or later since the men's game is the second in a doubleheader and it will officially tip-off 30 minutes following the conclusion the women's game.
All of FMU's recent losses have been frustrating for differing factors. The Lions fell to No. 21 Warner University after leading the Royals at halftime; they made just one three-pointer in their 81-73 loss to Voorhees College; and Florida Memorial dropped a tough one in overtime at Florida National University this past Wednesday when it couldn't capitalize on late-game free throws.
Standing in FMU's way Saturday will be a St. Thomas University (3-2, 1-2) team that has been up and down in its play. The Bobcats, who defeated Florida Memorial in both their meetings this past season, defeated Warner University and Voorhees College but lost to Sun Conference foe Webber International University – a team that Florida Memorial defeated 89-88 in November.
St. Thomas relies heavily on senior guard Justin Brown, who averages a team-high 24.8 points per game. FMU should be able to stifle Brown a bit perhaps by using lanky 6-foot-9 junior
Cheikh Kebe to bother him on the perimeter and funnel him down to 7-foot junior
Mubashar Ali at the rim.
Ali, who's currently among the country's leading rebounders, had his best game of the season this past Wednesday – finishing with 33 points and 13 rebounds.
For Lions head coach
Ansar Al-Ameen and his squad, earning a victory Saturday also means keeping pace in what could end up being a tight Sun Conference race.
