College Basketball has arrived. Florida Atlantic traveled to Gainesville to take on in-state foe Florida (1-0). The Gators come into the season predicted to finish 10th in the SEC. FAU had dreams of an upset, but the Gators thrashed the Owls hopes in a 82-54 victory to open the season.
Jada Moore (pictured above, FAU Athletics) scored the first points for FAU after converting an and-one after making a layup. Florida then responded by going on a 12-2 run making the Gator lead 15-5. At the first media timeout it was 15-8 in favor of UF. Florida closed out the first on an 11-5 run going 4-4 on FGs to extend their lead to 11, 26-15 all Gators in the first.
In the second quarter, the Owls fell behind by 13 before a Ta’Ziah Jenks 3PT jumper pulled the game within 10 at the media break, 33-23 UF. Florida responded with two quick buckets to take their largest lead of the night at 15 before a Florida Atlantic timeout, 38-23 Gators. With 1:30 left in the half, Moore hit a layup to bring the contest within 11, but UF closed on a six-point run to lead 46-29 at the half.
Coming out of the half, FAU started slow. The Owls were one of their last eight on FG’s at the media timeout in the third. Florida had increased their lead to 52-33. Florida Atlantic held the Gators to one of their last seven for the remainder of the quarter with the Owls making their last three shots in the half to bring the game within 17 once again: 61-44 UF
The Gators busted the game open in the fourth. UF went on a 10-0 run at the start of the fourth to earn a 71-46 lead before a Florida Atlantic timeout with six minutes left. FAU could not find a bucket as the Owls were zero of their last six until Mari Myklebust found her first bucket of the evening a minute later. UF finished the game on a 8-2 run to gain the season-opening victory 82-54 over the Owls.
Jada Moore led FAU in scoring at 18 as she finished the evening shooting 50%. As a team FAU had a 31.7 FG%. Stafani Ingram (pictured above, FAU Athletics), and Mya Perry led the Owls in three-pointers made with both making two. Alana Rouser had 12 rebounds with FAU totaling 41, while the Owls only earned six assists on the night.
Florida Atlantic (0-1) will face-off against Mercer (1-0) at the Elly. The Owls are currently on a four game losing streak to the Bears, including a 70-62 loss last season. All-time Mercer leads the series 23-14. FAU will try to earn a 15th victory, inching closer to evening the series on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m.