FNU completes first exhibition of 2025-26

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2025) — Conquistador women's basketball (3-2) dropped its first exhibition of the young season 126-45 to the NCAA DII Nova Southeastern University Sharks (3-0). This was the first meeting between these South Florida universities, and Jaylyn Laguna highlighted FNU's afternoon with 16 points in 29 minutes.

In the first half, the Sharks went to work for a 50-9 lead at the break. Maria De Gracia Karamanites was the first Conquistador to record a bucket, ending a 21-0 run for Nova through the first five minutes of the first quarter. Nova responded with a 5-0 scoring burst before Laguna quenched the fire with a layup.

The final minutes of the frame were taken over by an impressive effort from sophomore Kaylynn Jean-Gilles. The Orlando, Fla., native posted a layup on an assist from Ziul Gonzalez and hustled back on defense, forcing a turnover. Nova was paced by 14 from Bridie McCann in nine minutes while center Hailey Chiles and Chynna Mattair combined for 18 first-half points.

The third quarter saw Nova outscore FNU 32-10, behind Unique Horton's seven points. It was a group effort by the Sharks, as nine different players, but the ball was in the net during the frame. Gonzalez and Kaylee Llanos were responsible for six of FNU's 10 points in the frame, and a solid performance from Laguna featured FNU's fourth quarter.

Laguna produced a nice offensive spark for the Conquistadors, tallying nine points in nine minutes on 4-5 shooting from the floor. The Sharks ended the game a bucket shy of breaking a conference record for points scored in a contest, choosing to pull back in the final seconds with the shot clock turned off.

Gonzalez ended her afternoon with seven points, three rebounds and six assists. Notably, Hermione Hicks was great off the bench with eight points in 14 minutes.

Up Next: Florida National heads to Keiser University tomorrow for a 4 p.m. battle.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Hermione Hicks: G/F; 5' 8"; Senior

#10 Maria De Gracia Karamanites: F; 5' 10"; Freshman

#12 Ziul Gonzalez: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

#21 Kaylynn Jean-Gilles: G/F; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#5 Jaylyn Laguna: G; 5' 5"; Freshman

#2 Kaylee Llanos: G; 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#11 Hermione Hicks
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G/F

#10 Maria De Gracia Karamanites
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: F

#12 Ziul Gonzalez
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G

#21 Kaylynn Jean-Gilles
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G/F

#5 Jaylyn Laguna
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: G

#2 Kaylee Llanos
: 5' 6"; Junior
: G

Florida National University

Scoreboard

FNU completes first exhibition of 2025-26

Players Mentioned

#11 Hermione Hicks

#10 Maria De Gracia Karamanites

#12 Ziul Gonzalez

#21 Kaylynn Jean-Gilles

#5 Jaylyn Laguna

#2 Kaylee Llanos

Players Mentioned

#11 Hermione Hicks

#10 Maria De Gracia Karamanites

#12 Ziul Gonzalez

#21 Kaylynn Jean-Gilles

#5 Jaylyn Laguna

#2 Kaylee Llanos