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Florida National University

Scoreboard

Kaylee Llanos holding her hand up after shooting a three against Trinity College of Jacksonville 2025-26
@onethree_photography
86
Winner Florida National (FL) FLORIDA
83
Carolina (N.C.) CAROLINA
Winner
Florida National (FL) FLORIDA
86
Final
83
Carolina (N.C.) CAROLINA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Florida National (FL) FLORIDA 24 28 16 18 86
Carolina (N.C.) CAROLINA 17 21 30 15 83

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Brenda Bogle

A Llanos three delivers win over Bruins

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2026) — Florida National (10-10) and junior Conquistador Kaylee Llanos used the final 9.3 seconds of regulation to heave a game-winning three-pointer against conference foe Carolina University (5-16) Friday. Llanos' heroics sent the crowd at the Scott Galvin Community Center into jubilation and moved her team to 4-2 against Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) opponents.

Despite having total control of the ball game for much of the second half, turnovers and an overall relentlessness from the Carolina Bruins made it a close contest down the stretch. FNU recorded 15 turnovers while the Bruins conceded just six through four quarters. The Conquistadors also put themselves at a disadvantage late after allowing 29 free-throw attempts to an aggressive Carolina team attacking the basket.

In the opening two frames, FNU looked in great shape to cruise to a second consecutive win after leading 52-38 at halftime. The Conquistadors were getting points from all over the court with seven different players contributing to their 24 points in the first quarter. Freshman Ziul Gonzalez paced the squad with seven points in the period, while Maria De Gracia Karamanites worked hard down low for six rebounds in 10 minutes on the floor.

Carolina shot an abysmal 30% from the floor in the first quarter despite eight from Jakyiiah Willis. The Bruin offense picked up in the second behind seven from Willis, along with eight combined points from Mya Smith and Dearia Page. Their efforts did not stop FNU from outscoring the Bruins 28-21, as De Gracia ended the half with a double of 12 rebounds and 11 points.

The third quarter was the beginning of a potential Bruin comeback, as Carolina forced five FNU turnovers, held FNU to 29.4% shooting from the floor, and outscored the Conquistadors 30-16. Valeria Cifuentes held her team afloat with seven of FNU 16, but Smith proved unstoppable in the third with 13 points in 10 minutes of play. Suddenly, FNU found itself in a ball game deadlocked at 68 entering the fourth.

In the final minutes, the Bruins were nothing short of resilient and found an answer to every single FNU run in the period. A Smith layup with under six minutes left to play put her team ahead 76-75, but this was short-lived. A successful and-one from De Gracia and a transition three from Gonzalez put FNU up by five in 20 seconds.

With the score at 81-76, Carolina used the free-throw line and a jumper from Willis to make it a tied game once again with three minutes left on the clock. Willis was clutch once more to tie the game at 83 with a pair of free throws in the closing seconds of regulation.

It all came down to FNU's final possession of the game with 9.3 seconds left to make something happen to close out the Bruins. Gonzalez inbounded the ball to Llanos, who led her defender to the right wing and heaved a contested three that sent FNU's bench up to its feet when it found the bottom of the net. A usually stoic Llanos let out a roar as the Bruins did not get a chance to stop the clock and saw their chance of a comeback win in North Miami, Fla., come to an end on their final inbound pass from the baseline.

Llanos ended the game with 15 points, seven assists and two rebounds. De Gracia's big night was highlighted by a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds. Gonzalez paced all scorers for FNU with 23 points, and Cifuentes had a solid outing with 13 points, four boards and a pair of assists.

Up Next: FNU is set for a rematch against Haskell Indian Nations University tomorrow at 10 a.m.


 
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