FMU MBB Hosting Ave Maria, Honoring Seniors Thursday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (13-7, 9-4) vs. Ave Maria University Gyrenes (16-9, 8-4)
When: Thursday, February 10, 2022
Where: Florida Memorial, Miami Gardens, Fla. | FMU Wellness Center
Tip-off: 8 p.m.* (30 minutes following women's game)
Last Meeting: Jan. 8, 2022, Loss 87-91
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link
Tickets: General Admission $5 (Purchase)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Florida Memorial University will be looking to extend its season-best winning streak and stay near the top of the Sun Conference standings when it hosts Ave Maria University Thursday night in the FMU Wellness Center.

Thursday's game, which is slated for an 8 p.m. start, will also be "Senior Night" for the Lions – both men's and women's teams – as the coaching staff will honor the team's seniors with a pregame ceremony.

About The Lions (13-7, 9-4 TSC)

FMU enters as a confident group after extending its season-best winning streak to four-straight games following its win over Thomas University.
Senior forward Brent Holcombe lifted the Lions to the 71-70 win over TU with a buzzard-beating put-back layup.
Eric Hester played some of his best basketball over the Lions' recent road trip – totaling 32 points, 10 assists, and 9 steals through two games.
With the win over Thomas, FMU head coach Ansar Al-Ameen saw his team earn the regular season sweep (winning both matchups) against three different TSC opponents for the first time in his tenure.
Senior guard Corey Benton continues to lead Florida Memorial in scoring this season, turning in 16.9 points per game on average, which is also the second-highest PPG total in the Sun Conference this season.
FMU currently sits tied for the No. 2 spot in the Sun Conference standings and has already clinched a spot in the Sun Conference postseason tournament – also a first in Al-Ameen's tenure – and still controls its own destiny to possibly finish as the conference's regular season champion.

Scouting Ave Maria (16-9, 8-4)

The Gyrenes will enter Thursday's game winners of three of their past four games.
Ave Maria has been a potent offensive team this season, ranking third in the Sun Conference in total offense and averaging 78.5 points per game this season.
Fifth-year guard Daryl Lewis leads AMU in scoring this season at 16.2 PPG and is one of four players averaging in double-digits.
Ave Maria defeated the FMU 91-87 in their first meeting earlier this season.
Gyrenes freshman guard Chayse Culpepper is the son of former NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
Head coach Jamon Copeland is currently in his second stint as Ave Maria's head men's basketball coach, totaling six total years leading the program.

Series History

Florida Memorial trails the all-time series against the Gyrenes 5-15.
AMU has won the past 11 meetings, but the past five matchups have been decided by a total of 43 points.
The Lions' last victory against Ave Maria came during the 2016-17 season.

Keys To Victory

Defending the three-point line will be a big point of emphasis for the Lions; Ave Maria shot 53.3 percent from long range in the first meeting this season.
FMU's late-game execution could also prove to be a deciding given how close the past handful of matchups have been against the Gyrenes.

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

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#44 Corey Benton: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#2 Eric Hester: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#23 Brent Holcombe: F; 6' 8"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#44 Corey Benton
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#2 Eric Hester
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#23 Brent Holcombe
: 6' 8"; Graduate Student
: F

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#44 Corey Benton

#2 Eric Hester

#23 Brent Holcombe

Players Mentioned

#44 Corey Benton

#2 Eric Hester

#23 Brent Holcombe