AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (6-13, 3-7) vs. Webber International Warriors (11-10, 4-6)
When: January 25, 2020
Where: Florida Memorial, Miami Gardens, Fla. | FMU Wellness Center
Tip-off: 4 p.m.* (30 minutes following women's game)
Last Meeting: Nov. 21, 2019, Win 89-88
Live Stream Video & Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/fmulions/index.htm
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Florida Memorial University's men will look to complete the "season sweep" of Webber International University and win back-to-back games for the first time this season when they host the Warriors Saturday in the FMU Wellness Center.
The Lions men are scheduled to take the floor at 4 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of preceding women's game between FMU and Webber, which tips at 2 p.m.
Florida Memorial (6-13, 3-7 Sun Conference) enters Saturday's game riding high from its going on the road and knocking off Warner University this past Thursday. The Lions rallied back from a 14-point deficit early in the second half and benefited from some clutch free throw shooting in the waning seconds to cement the win. That victory not only snapped a three-game snide, it was also a benchmark win for FMU second-year head coach
Ansar Al-Ameen in that his team surpassed its win total from the 2018-19 season.
Similarly to the game against Warner, Florida Memorial will be walking into the matchup against Webber with the advantage of having junior guards
Quvondo Johnson and
Kaleb Darrett in the lineup, whereas neither guard was available to play in the Lions' first meeting with the Warriors.
Johnson and Darrett proved to be tangible difference-makers this past Thursday. Johnson finished with game-highs in points (22) and rebounds (9) while Darrett added 14 points, six assists, and five boards.
Even without the Johnson-Darrett combo, the Lions were able to manufacture an 89-88 win over the Warriors (11-10, 4-6) back in November. FMU saw senior guard
Omar Outar turn in a season-high 25 points with five three-pointers made as he was one of five players to finish with 10 points or more.
Florida Memorial's success Saturday will hinge on its ability to put clamps on Webber International's leading scorer Tommie Luke. Luke, who's averaging just over 20 points per game this season, only scored 14 against the Lions in the first meeting between the teams, and that was without Al-Ameen having Darrett or Johnson to use as defenders.
It will also help the Lions if they can get a big game from big man
Mubashar Ali. The 7-foot junior was saddled with foul trouble this past Thursday and finished with just eight points and four rebounds in 23 minutes. Webber International also has a 7-foot center to go along with another 6-foot-9 center, the Lions will need Ali to be on the floor and control the backboards.
