Lions Looking To Pick Up Another Win Over Ave Maria Thursday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (7-9, 7-8) vs. Ave Maria University Gyrenes (6-12, 3-9)
When: Thursday, February 4, 2021
Where: Florida Memorial, Miami Gardens, Fla. | FMU Wellness Center
Tip-off: 6 p.m.
Last Meeting: Jan. 23, 2021, Win 100-42
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Having gone through back-to-back tough games with even tougher results, Florida Memorial University's women's basketball team could use a bit of positivity on the hardwood – perhaps something it can attain Thursday when it hosts Ave Maria University in the FMU Wellness Center.

Thursday's women's game, which is set for a 6 p.m. tip, will be the opening salvo in a typical conference women-men doubleheader. Per University health and safety protocols, no fans will be allowed to attend the game inside the Lions' Den; but they will be able to view the game via a free online live stream.

It's been tough sledding for FMU (7-9, 7-8 The Sun Conference) recently. The Lady Lions, who currently sit in the No. 4 spot in the conference standings and have clinched a spot in the postseason tournament for the 15th consecutive season, have dropped four out of their past five games. The lone victory was their 100-42 win over Ave Maria on Jan. 23 – sandwiched between a pair of two-game slides.

One major reason for the recent struggles is the fact that the injury bug has continued to chomp down on the Florida Memorial's roster. The team hasn't really been whole at any point of this season, but the recent losses of Janae Markes, Destiny Marin, and Jamari Tillman – the team's second-leading scorer this year – have forced FMU head coach Gregory Stanback to play his healthy players extended minutes to compensate for the shortened rotation.

One constant for the Lions this season has been junior guard Keaynna Tolbert. The leading overall scorer in the Sun Conference – with 381 total points at 23.8 points-per-game – Tolbert has not only made a strong case for TSC Player of the Year but could be in line for a NAIA All-American nomination by season's end.

Even with a shorthanded roster, the Lions should still be licking their chops to take on Ave Maria again Thursday. The last time the two programs met, FMU set multiple season-highs – including points scored (100), field goals made (37) and total assists (22).

Florida Memorial led the Gyrenes (6-12, 3-9) by 24 at halftime of that first meeting and led by as many as 60 before settling for the 58-point victory. Ave Maria does enter Thursday's game on a two-game winning streak of its own, having defeated Thomas University and Warner University, but the Lions still hold sizeable advantages over the Gyrenes – chiefly in Tolbert's ability to drive past Ave Maria's guards and finish at the rim because of their lack of a defensive interior presence.

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