Florida National University lost its men’s basketball season opener to Beacon College, 91-87, on Nov. 3 in Leesburg, Fla. Florida National University led 43-35 at halftime after building a 16-point advantage in the first half, but Beacon College outscored the Conquistadors 56-44 after the break. The game was the first meeting between the two programs.
Reginald Reinhardt led Florida National University with 26 points in his first game with the program. Fernando Romero added 24 points, three rebounds and one assist off the bench, while Serge Beauvoir III and Rashard Reinhardt each scored 11 points. Beauvoir also recorded three assists and two steals, and Rashard Reinhardt had two blocks.
Florida National builds early lead
Florida National University created its early separation with its 3-point shooting. The Conquistadors made seven of 16 attempts from beyond the arc in the first half and carried an eight-point lead into halftime. Reinhardt and Romero combined for 21 first-half points on 7-for-11 shooting from the floor.
Florida National University also received 14 points from Chris Lampkins and 11 points from Ernesto Hichez. Beauvoir played 20 minutes and finished with a team-high five rebounds at halftime. The early offense helped Florida National University withstand Beacon College’s efforts to reduce the deficit before the break.
Beacon College rallies after halftime
Beacon College quickly changed the game’s direction after halftime. Florida National University missed its first six shots of the half, while Beacon College made four of its first seven attempts to cut the margin to 46-44. Tre’Von Redd then made a 3-pointer that gave Beacon College a 50-46 lead.
Florida National University continued to challenge the lead, including on a long-range basket by Romero that brought the Conquistadors within three. Reinhardt scored on a difficult shot in the paint with 13:15 remaining, but Beacon College held the lead the rest of the way. Redd scored 17 points in the second half for the Beacon College Blazers.
Shooting efficiency separated the teams over the full game. Beacon College shot 52.8 percent from the field, compared with 40.6 percent for Florida National University, and Florida National University committed 10 turnovers. Those numbers offset Florida National University’s strong first-half shooting and prevented a comeback.
Next game
Florida National men’s basketball is scheduled to play Warner University at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11. The game is the Conquistadors’ next scheduled contest after the season-opening loss. Florida National University entered the Beacon College matchup with a 0-1 record, while Beacon College entered at 2-3.
FSB Take
Florida National University demonstrated that it could create a sizable lead through perimeter shooting and balanced scoring. The second-half shooting decline and 10 turnovers erased that advantage against Beacon College. Maintaining the first-half offensive execution for the full game will be the clearest priority when Florida National University faces Warner University.
Source: Original report