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Florida National University

Scoreboard

Caelum Ethridge at Keiser University Classic
David Badia - @Sportsmediadb
89
Winner Spartanburg Methodist SPARTANB 5-9, 1-0
83
Florida National (FL) FLORIDA 2-12, 1-1
Winner
Spartanburg Methodist SPARTANB
5-9, 1-0
89
Final
83
Florida National (FL) FLORIDA
2-12, 1-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Spartanburg Methodist SPARTANB 43 46 89
Florida National (FL) FLORIDA 47 36 83

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Brenda Bogle

SMC holds on for 89-83 win over FNU

TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. (Jan. 9, 2025) — Florida National (2-12) fell in a tough 89-83 Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) match against CAC newcomers Spartanburg Methodist College (5-9). FNU now stands at 1-1 at the CAC Classic hosted by Florida College from Jan. 7-11.

In the first half, Florida National earned a 47-43 lead after a solid period of smart basketball. The Conquistadors were efficient from the field, shooting 47.2% and connecting on six of 15 three-pointers attempted. SMC was held at bay for the majority of the frame and shot just 29.7%. Despite a steady lead throughout the contest, Tavarez Lacey's three-point play at the tail end of the first cut FNU's advantage to two before Caelum Ethridge knocked down a pair of free throws with 37 seconds remaining.

The Pioneers were paced by 15 crucial points from Bryan Bayonne and seven from Lacey. On its bench, Pioneer Kenny Burns led all reserves with nine points in 11 minutes. For FNU, Ethridge continued to show his scoring expertise, and he ended the period with a team-high 13. Jeremy Arnum joined Ethridge as the only Conquistadors in double-digits with 12 points, and Gary Admas got involved off the bench with eight before halftime. 

The second half was where SMC ate away at FNU's advantage and pulled away for a critical conference win. Lacey gave the Pioneers their first lead on a put back four minutes into the frame. From that point on, SMC and the Conquistadors traded blows with neither side building enough of a cushion to rest on their laurels in the closing minutes. With 1:24 remaining on the clock, Adams cut SMC's lead to two on the free-throw line before a made jumper by Bayonne nullified the junior's efforts. The Pioneers went on a 6-2 run in the final seconds to ice out FNU at Conn Gymnasium.

Ethridge ended his night with another noteworthy double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds. Adams had one of his best games this season with 23 points in 22 minutes on the court. Arnum added some great production with 14. 

Up Next: FNU looks for a win tomorrow against the CAC's Fisher College at 5 p.m.


 
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