MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – New Year, new Lions.
Quvondo Johnson turned in a 25-point, 11-rebound performance, which was punctuated by a windmill breakaway dunk, to lead Florida Memorial University to its first win of the new decade, a 97-82 victory over No. 24 Talladega College Thursday afternoon in the FMU Wellness Center.
It was Johnson's second straight double-double in just his third game back on the Lions' active roster, as he was one of two FMU players to finish with at least 20 points against the Tornadoes. 7-foot junior
Mubashar Ali was efficient and effective, knocking down 8-of-10 shots from the field en route to finishing with 21 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.
After leading by just three at halftime, the Lions (4-9) methodically pulled away from Talladega – which began the season as the No. 8 team in the NAIA Division-I Coaches Poll and was No. 24 in December's release – at one point leading by as many as 23 points in the second half.
Aside from Johnson and Ali, Florida Memorial received a huge lift off the bench from senior guard
Jordan Martin. In 25 minutes, Martin scored 19 points – knocking down five three-pointers in the process – dished out four assists and nabbed away three steals.
Jordan Johnson added 11 points off the bench for the FMU, which will host Sun Conference for Southeastern University Saturday, while
Kaleb Darrett also finished with 11 points to go along with a game-high five steals.
The Lions' offensive production against the Tornadoes spoke volumes to the game plan of head coach
Ansar Al-Ameen and execution by his players, given that Talladega came into Thursday's game allowing opponents to score 61 points per game. FMU manufactured points in the half court, with
Quvondo Johnson attacking the basket from the perimeter as well as post touches for Ali, as well as in the fast break – converting defense into offense, turning 22 Tornado turnovers in 27 points.
