5-Seed FMU MBB Hope To Complete Magical Run, Facing 3-Seed Ave Maria In SUN Tournament Championship Game Saturday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (16-10) vs. Ave Maria University Gyrenes (21-10)
When: Saturday, February 26, 2022
Where: Warner University, Lake Wales, Fla. | Turner Athletic Center
Tip-off: 5 p.m.
Last Meeting: Feb. 10, 2022, Loss 90-91
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

LAKE WALES, Fla. – Why not? A two-word phrase that can be simultaneously faithful and bold, two traits that can describe Florida Memorial University's men's basketball team as the 5-seed Lions roll into the Sun Conference Tournament Championship game, where they will face 3-seed Ave Maria University Saturday evening at 5 p.m. in the Turner Athletic Center (Warner University) in Lake Wales, Florida.

About The Lions (16-10)

FMU earned its spot in the championship game by upsetting 1-seed and tournament final four host Warner University 71-68.
The Lions controlled nearly the entire second half against the Royals and breathed a sigh of relief when Warner's potentially game-tying three-pointer clanged off the rim as the clock expired.
Senior guard and 2022 All-Sun Conference First Team selection Corey Benton led the way for Florida Memorial, scoring a team-high 22 points.
FMU is making its first appearance in the SUN Tournament Championship game since the 2016-17 season.
The Lions are also in the midst of their first postseason tournament appearance under head coach Ansar Al-Ameen.
Florida Memorial's 16 wins this season is the most the program has had since the 2016-17 season, when the team totaled 18 victories.

Scouting Ave Maria (21-10)

Ave Maria toppled 2-seed Southeastern University 84-64 Friday in the other semifinal to reach the championship game.
The Gyrenes defeated Florida Memorial in both of their regular season meetings this year.
A guard-heavy team, AMU's seniors Eric Klekas and Daryl Lewis were named to the All-Sun Conference First Team while sophomore guard Chayse Culpepper – the son of former NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper – was named a Second teamer.
AMU last reached the SUN Tournament championship game in the 2018-19 season, when it won the title.

Series History

Florida Memorial trails the all-time series against the Gyrenes 8-21.
The two meetings between the programs this season were decided by a total of five points.
Saturday's championship game will be the second time in as many years that FMU will face Ave Maria in the SUN Tournament.

Keys To Victory

The Lions must find a way to turn their decisive height advantage over Ave Maria into an actual advantage.
The Gyrenes will typically play 6-foot-5 Lucas Uzdavinis as their center and use Lewis – because of his athleticism – as an undersized forward.
Because the game will be a clash of contrasting styles, Florida Memorial will need to impose its will as the bigger team – with 6-foot-10 Jethro Tshisumpa, 6-foot-9 Brent Holcombe, and 6-foot-7 Jacobi Gordon – while hoping AMU's "small ball" lineup of shooters have a below-average shooting night.

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

Print Friendly Version