FMU Upset-Minded Heading Into Tuesday Matchup With Warner University

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (5-10, 5-7) vs. Warner University Royals (11-3, 9-3)
When: Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Where: Florida Memorial, Miami Gardens, Fla. | FMU Wellness Center
Tip-off: 6 p.m.
Last Meeting: Nov. 12, 2020, Loss 56-69
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – When Florida Memorial University's men's basketball team steps on the floor of the FMU Wellness Center Tuesday night, it'll not only be looking to snap a two-game losing streak but also earn what would be the biggest win of the season when it hosts Sun Conference No. 1 team Warner University.

Tuesday's game – which is set for a 6 p.m. tip-off – will be a standalone game for the Lions, as it is the makeup for the January 2nd men's game between the programs that had to be postponed. Per University health and safety protocols, fans will be prohibited from attending the game inside the Wellness Center. A free online live stream of the game will be available.

FMU (5-10, 5-7 The Sun Conference) enters Tuesday having dropped its second-straight game in similar fashion – ultimately falling because it simply couldn't put the ball in the basket as efficiently as its opponent. Over the past two games, the Lions have shot 39 percent from the field and just 20 percent from three-point range. Conversely, their two opponents – Keiser University and Ave Maria University – shot an average of 49 percent from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc.

Senior center Mubashar Ali did record his third consecutive double-double – eighth of the season – for Florida Memorial this past Saturday, racking up 14 points and 13 rebounds against the Gyrenes. Ali, a 2019 First Team All-Sun Conference selection, has started to round into the form recently – giving the Lions offense viable post-scoring option while also controlling the backboards on both ends of the court – elevating his season averages to 12.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest.

Where Ali's game has been on the uptick, FMU has felt the absence of the usually offensive production from senior Sam Mack Jr. In the Lions' past two losses, Mack finished with 11 and 10 points respectively – a big dip considering he had scored 22 points or more in the three games prior to that.

FMU head coach Ansar Al-Ameen will need production from Mack, Ali, and probably a few others as his team welcomes in a Warner University team that has won seven of its past eight games and ranks as the Sun Conference's No. 1 scoring offense (80.8 PPG) as well as the No. 1 scoring defense (70.8 PA PPG).

The Royals (11-3, 9-3), who received votes in the latest NAIA National Men's Basketball Poll, have four players averaging at least 12 points per game – led by Rod Boggan's 17.4.

In the teams' first meeting this season, FMU stood toe-to-toe with the Royals for a good portion of the game. The Lions even held a slim lead midway through the second half before Warner University used an elongated 14-2 run to pull away from FMU and ultimately keep the Lions at bay.

Florida Memorial was out-rebounded by Warner University in the first meeting, it turned the ball over 22 times – compared to just 9 for the Royals – and it allowed Boggan to score what is still his season-high of 28 points; all trends that cannot repeat themselves if the Lions are to be successful Tuesday night.

Follow Florida Memorial University Athletics on social media
Instagram: @GoFMULions/@FMU_MBB | Twitter: @GoFMULions | YouTube: Official FMU Lions

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#21 Mubashar Ali: C/F; 7' 0"; Senior

#12 Sam Mack Jr.: G; 6' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#21 Mubashar Ali
: 7' 0"; Senior
: C/F

#12 Sam Mack Jr.
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#21 Mubashar Ali

#12 Sam Mack Jr.

Players Mentioned

#21 Mubashar Ali

#12 Sam Mack Jr.