After a short stay at home, FAU headed West to play in the GCU Christmas Classic over the weekend. Their first contest was against the Georgia Southern Eagles (6-4) from the Sun Belt. Both teams playing in unfamiliar territory produced an all-time with the Owls getting the best of the Eagles.
First Half
The lead traded hands early in the first a couple of times, but Georgia Southern led going into the media timeout, 8-6. The Eagles reached a lead of seven as they closed the quarter leading 15-8.
Scoring in the second opened with an Emaya Lewis jumper for FAU with a Mya Perry (pictured above, FAU) basket following, cutting the deficit to three, 15-12. The lead stayed with the Eagles but held at three at the media timeout, 22-19 GSU, 5:03 remaining in the second. Perry and Erin Rodgers dominated the remainder of the half with the duo dropping 14 of the Owls next 16 points. That run included Perry making three three-point shots. Florida Atlantic gained a tight lead of 35-32 heading into the half.
A slow start in the first was turned around thanks to a 58.8 shot % in the second quarter including a 5-of-8 clip from beyond the arc for the Owls.
Second Half
Georgia Southern responded early in the third with a 5-0 scoring run, evening the game at 37 with 6:49 remaining in the third. Thankfully for FAU they regained the lead at the media break; 42-39 Florida Atlantic. FAU kept finding buckets and stretched their lead to seven, but a layup from GSU cut the Owls lead down to 51-46 after three.
Tip-in layup by Rodgers opened the scoring in the fourth with FAU leading 53-46. Georgia Southern fought back with a 9-0 run as the Eagles took the lead 55-53 forcing a Florida Atlantic timeout with 5:55 remaining. Florida Atlantic drew the game within one, but GSU earned a layup as the Eagles had a 58-55 lead with 4:39 on the clock. Perry hit a three tying the game at 58 with two minutes remaining. Georgia Southern took the lead once more, 60-58 Eagles, 1:10 remaining. With less than 20 ticks remaining, a GSU turnover led to a Rodgers jumper as FAU tied the game at 60, forcing overtime.
Overtime
Florida Atlantic opened the scoring taking a 64-60 lead with 3:16 left in OT. Another basket and free throws gave the Owls a six point lead; 68-62. GSU fought back and kept the contest within four, but FAU held on, winning 71-66 taking their first game in Arizona.
Stat Leaders
Mya Perry dropped a career-high 27 points and shot 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Erin Rodgers followed, dropping 22 points. Rodgers also led the way in rebounds with her total of 13, gaining a double-double and a season high in points and boards. The Owls earned 52 rebounds as a team. Stefani Ingram (pictured above, FAU) dished the ball around, earning 13 assists, a season high and tied for second nationally in assists in a single game.
Look Ahead
Florida Atlantic (7-4) plays against the hosts, Grand Canyon (9-2) from the WAC. The Antelopes earned a 82-69 victory over Wright State in their opening contest of the classic. The two losses for GCU came against (RV) MTSU and (23) Oregon, both by double-digits. FAU will be searching for their first win against GCU in the squad’s first matchup since 2017. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19.
