WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. | Florida Memorial exploded to the tune of 53 second-half points as it secured the No. 2 seed in next week's SUN Conference Men's Basketball Tournament with an 88-77 victory over Keiser at the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center. The win not only ensures a bye in the quarterfinal round and an automatic spot in the semifinals, but also lifts the Lions to a 22-6 overall record, a modern day program record as first year head coach Delano Thomas now has his team one win away from the SUN Conference Men's Basketball championship game.

After one half of play, FMU led Keiser by 1-point before pulling away late in the second half.

FMU post-player Latavious Mitchell led the team as he produced a double-double, scoring 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field while grabbing 10 boards to go along with three assists and two steals. Teammate Jaiden Guice also generated 18 points on 3-of-6 three-pointers and also produced two steals and two assists in 29 minutes of action.

Philly native and human highlight Derrius Ward added 14 points, three rebounds and three assists while high flying power forward Felix Uadiale finished with 13 points, nine boards and two blocks in the victory.

FMU returns to action on Friday, March 1 and will face the winner of No. 6 Southeastern and No. 3 Ave Maria, who play on Tuesday, February 27 in round one of the SUN Tournament.

The semifinal round will be held at the Fernandez Family Center on the campus of St. Thomas in Miami Gardens, Fla.