FMU Ready For Tough Road Matchup At Webber International Thursday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (7-7, 7-6) at Webber International University Warriors (12-4, 8-3)
When: Thursday, January 28, 2021
Where: Webber International, Babson Park, Fla. | Sabbagh Athletic Center
Tip-off: 5:30 p.m.
Last Meeting: Dec. 5, 2020, Loss 83-86
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Florida Memorial University's women's basketball team will be facing a tough challenge Thursday as the shorthanded Lions will travel to Babson Park, Florida to face Webber International University in the Sabbagh Athletic Center.

Thursday's game is set for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off and will be the opening salvo in a typical Sun Conference women-men doubleheader. Per Webber International University health and safety protocols, no visiting fans will be allowed to attend the game. The will, however, be streamed live online and can be viewed for free.

FMU (7-7, 7-6 The Sun Conference) will be returning the court Thursday after having an extra couple days to mend and prepare since it didn't have a Tuesday game this week.

The Lady Lions were severely shorthanded this past weekend, missing three players from the lineup due to various injuries. Still, they were able to come away with their biggest win of the season – setting new season-highs in multiple categories in their 100-42 win over Ave Maria University. Three players registered at least 20 points, led by Keaynna Tolbert's 29.

Tolbert's performance was "old hat" – as she's the Sun Conference's leading scorer this season – but it was Unique Tate's 20 points that could've possibly marked the start of something good for FMU head coach Gregory Stanback and his Lions.

Up until this past weekend's performance, Tate received sparing rotation minutes and seemed to play tentatively when she was inserted into the game. However, with the shortened roster, Tate got the start and played 32 minutes and she played with urgency, energy, and a bit of swagger – totaling 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals while also knocking down 4-of-7 from three-point range.

Florida Memorial will need that same kind of energy from Tate and the rest of the available players when it faces Webber International, which is currently tied with St. Thomas University for the No. 2 spot in the conference standings.

Warriors (12-4, 8-3) – winners of their past three games – did get the better of the Lions in their first meeting this season. Webber held a 21-point lead on FMU in the third quarter before the Lions stormed back and cut the deficit to just 1 point multiple times in the fourth quarter before the Warriors pulled out the 86-83 win.

A balanced offensive team that can rebound the ball well, Webber International presented some matchup challenges for the Lions when they had a more intact roster, so to be successful in Thursday's tilt Florida Memorial will need to re-create what it did during its furious rally attempt – force the Warriors into turnovers with intense defensive pressure to create more and easier scoring opportunities.

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Instagram: @GoFMULions/@FMUWBB | Twitter: @GoFMULions | YouTube: Official FMU Lions

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