Playoffs-Clinched Lions Host Rival St. Thomas Saturday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (6-16, 6-13) vs. St. Thomas University Bobcats (11-9, 10-8)
When: Saturday, February 20, 2021
Where: Florida Memorial, Miami Gardens, Fla. | FMU Wellness Center
Tip-off: 4 p.m.* (30 minutes following women's game)
Last Meeting: Jan. 19, 2021, Win 93-92 (OT)
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Having clinched a berth in The Sun Conference postseason tournament thanks to a Webber International University loss Thursday night, when Florida Memorial University's men's basketball team hosts rival St. Thomas University Saturday it'll only be looking to earn the season sweep of its rival and earn a victory for its seniors on "Senior Day" opposed to playing for its playoffs hopes when it takes the FMU Wellness Center floor.

The Lions, who clinched a spot in the TSC postseason tourney for the first time under head coach Ansar Al-Ameen, are scheduled to face the Bobcats at 4 p.m. but the game won't officially tip-off until 30 minutes following the conclusion of the preceding women's game between the programs.

Saturday will be momentous day, not only because it will be Senior Day, but because it will be the first basketball game this season that the university will allow fans to attend. Previously, the university's health and safety protocols prohibited fans from attending, but the increased COVID-19 testing on campus and the consistently negative (healthy) results made school administrators ease restrictions for the season's final game.

Still, only up to 200 Florida Memorial University students will be allowed to attend with proof of a recent negative (healthy) COVID-19 rapid test – via a wristband. FMU faculty and staff will also be allowed to attend with the same wristband restriction. Also, a limited number of family members for the Lions' players will also be allowed to attend. Each person attending the game must wear a face covering while inside the arena and must maintain social distance in the bleachers.

Prior to tip-off of Saturday's game, Florida Memorial's men's coaching staff will honor senior center Ebenezer Aboagye and transfer senior Sam Mack Jr. Also, FMU's marching band, "The Roar", is also scheduled to perform at halftime of the men's game.

Just because the Lions' spot in playoffs is secure, it doesn't mean that they'll be throttled down Saturday. Florida Memorial (6-16, 6-13 The Sun Conference) enters the weekend on a four-game losing streak after it dropped a pair of games on its road trip through Georgia – at College of Coastal Georgia and Thomas University – last week.

Additionally, FMU could take the No. 7 seed if it knocks off STU. The Lions could also stay in the seventh spot if Southeastern University loses its regular season finale Thomas University. The only way the Lions would fall to No. 8 would be a loss and a Southeastern win.

The Lions have been hampered by a pair of negative trends this season – turnovers and cold shooting from three-point range – and they have been amplified during the team's recent string of defeats.

FMU shot just 23-of-69 (33 percent) from the field and 5-of-28 (18 percent) from three-point range against Thomas University – marking the ninth time this season the team has shot below 25 percent from long range. Also, Florida Memorial has committed at least 20 turnovers in three of its previous four games and has given away the ball an average of 18 times per game this season.

Still, the Lions have been able to get the better of St. Thomas in their two previous meetings this season. FMU downed the Bobcats by four in their first meeting (on November 14th) and knocked off St. Thomas in a 93-92 overtime thriller thanks to an Aubrey Washington buzzer-beating three-pointer.

FMU's Mubashar Ali continues to be the team's stalwart, leading the team in both points (15.0) and rebounds (10.4), and has made a strong case for postseason all-conference honors. Graduate transfer Jethro Tshisumpa has seen an uptick in his production as he's settled into the Lion's lineup. In what was his fourth game with the team, Tshisumpa notched a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double against Thomas University.

Standing in FMU's way Saturday will be a St. Thomas team that's on a four-game winning streak following its 00-00 win over Keiser University this past Thursday. The Bobcats (12-9, 11-8) (11-10, 10-9) have been riding the strong play of 6-foot-8 senior Dwayne Russell – who has scored 12 points or more in seven straight games, including scoring 20 or more in three of the past four games.

In both of Florida Memorial's wins against STU this season, it was Mack that had big nights on the offensive end. The Chicago, Illinois native carved up the Bobcats for 32 points in the first meeting and scored 22 in the second game.

The obvious keys to success for FMU will be Mack finding his offensive groove again are more strong post play from Ali and Tshisumpa; the x-factor that could put the Lions over the top will be tangible offensive production from a combination of Terence Clayton, Washington, Cheikh Kebe, and Muhammad Gilchrist.

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