Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

FMU player

Women's Basketball J.T. Wilcox, Sports Information Director

Lady Lions Open Conference Play Thursday At Warner University

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (0-1) at Warner University Royals (1-1)
When: Thursday, November 12, 2020
Where: Warner University, Lake Wales, Fla. | Turner Athletic Center
Tipoff: 5:30 p.m.
Last Meeting: Jan. 23, 2020, Win 80-38
Live Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
 
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Similar to making pancakes, the first one can be a bit skewwhiff.
 
Ready to put its season-opening game in the rearview mirror, Florida Memorial University's women's basketball team will hit the road Thursday to take on Warner University – the Sun Conference opener for both teams.
 
The Lady Lions (0-1) and Royals are set to take the Turner Athletic Center floor at 5:30 p.m., the opening game of the women-men's doubleheader.
 
FMU opened its 2020-21 season this past weekend at the much-altered Jimmy Faulkner Classic. Instead of playing two games over two days, the Lions played just one game – a four-point loss to Life University, in which they committed two-scores worth of turnovers but still had a chance to win.
 
One thing that Florida Memorial hopes to see a lot more of this season is the kind of performance that senior Anjelie Tirone turned in in the season-opener. The Orlando, Florida native set new career highs in total rebounds (21), offensive rebounds (12), and steals (5) – showing she can be the post presence that the Lions need this season.
 
Aside from Tirone's career night, FMU head coach Gregory Stanback did see some positive things from some of his new players. Transfer junior guard Keaynna Tolbert scored a team-high 20 points and true freshman Chantel Barnett added 14 points (6-of-11 from the field) off the bench.
 
Stanback's team also showed great defensive versatility, using multiple looks, which yielded 20 steals and forced Life University to commit 40 turnovers.
 
In facing Warner University, Florida Memorial will be taking on team it has had plenty success against historically.
 
FMU has defeated the Royals in 12 of the past 13 meetings, including nine consecutive wins coming into Thursday tilt. And those wins have been quite decisive – with the Lady Lions winning six of those nine straight by 10 points or more, including a 42-point win for Florida Memorial in the last meeting between the teams.
 
Warner University (1-1) is typically buoyed by 5-foot-11 senior forward D'Asia James, but 6-foot-2 junior forward Haley Gantt has emerged as a viable option for the Royals. Through the first two games, Gantt is averaging 21 points on 52 percent shooting and 9 rebounds.
 
Even though Stanback and his teams have held the upper hand against Warner recently, the size of James and Gantt could pose a threat to the smaller Lions frontcourt.
 
Look for FMU to employ a lot of the same defensive principles its used this past weekend – speeding up the tempo of the game – to counteract the size difference and earn a victory.
 
Follow Florida Memorial University Athletics on social media
Instagram: @GoFMULions/@FMUWBB | Twitter: @GoFMULions | YouTube: Official FMU Lions
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Anjelie Tirone

#32 Anjelie Tirone

F
5' 11"
Senior
Chantel Barnett

#1 Chantel Barnett

F
5' 7"
Freshman
Keaynna Tolbert

#23 Keaynna Tolbert

G
5' 7"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Anjelie Tirone

#32 Anjelie Tirone

5' 11"
Senior
F
Chantel Barnett

#1 Chantel Barnett

5' 7"
Freshman
F
Keaynna Tolbert

#23 Keaynna Tolbert

5' 7"
Junior
G