FAU Begins Rivalry Series vs. FIU on Wednesday


What: Florida Atlantic (14-9, 6-4) @ Florida International (15-8, 6-4)

When: Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 @ 7:00 PM Eastern

Where: Ocean Bank Convocation Center

Series: FIU leads the all-time series 26-19.


TV: None

Stream: ESPN+ *Fee

Radio: FoxSports 640

Live Stats: Here

FIU Team Site: Here



FIU at a Glance:

Offense - 79.4 PPG, 46% FG, 36% 3PT

Defense - 74.0 PPGA, 41% FGA, 29% 3PTA

Rebounding - 36.2 RPG Panthers, 40.7 RPG Opponents


Notables

The Panthers split their home games last week, losing to Marshall 84-74 on Thursday night, but bouncing back to down WKU 81-76 on Saturday. FIU shot 53% from the field against the Hilltoppers. Including a career-high 22 points from Osasumwen Osaghae.

Head Coach Jeremy Ballard has one of the college basketball's best big men at his disposal. Center Osasumwen Osaghae owns a 13.4 PPG on 68.9 FG%, which is the second highest individual FG% in the country. Defensively, the Miami native averages 4.1 blocks per game, a stat that tops the nation.

With Osaghae's help, FIU ranks first nationally with 157 total blocks, good for 6.8 blocks per game. Moreover, FIU is also seventh in the country with 212 total steals this year.



FAU at a Glance:

Offense - 72.1 PPG, 43% FG, 34% 3PT

Defense - 68.4 PPGA, 44% FGA, 33% 3PTA

Rebounding - 34.9 RPG Owls, 34.0 RPG Opponents


Notables

Owls are back on the winning track following back-to-back victories over perennial C-USA powers. FAU upended WKU 69-65 on Thursday night before defeating Marshall 91-73 on Saturday. Junior forward Jailyn Ingram had his first double-double in over a year the win over the Thundering Herd.

Speaking of Jailyn Ingram, he joins guard Cornelius "Scuta" Taylor in the double-digit club, with 10.9 and 12.6 PPG respectively. Sophomore guard Michael Forrest now averages 10.0 PPG following a 12 and 13 point performances last week.

Richardson Maitre continues to be quite the conference season revelation as his 2..5 assists and 3.9 boards per contest pace the team. He know averages 9.3 PPG following a 12 point performance on Saturday.

FAU is in a three-way tie with Charlotte and FIU for fourth place in the C-USA. Only teams in the "top pod" (1-5) in the league are eligible for the regular season title. Plus, the top four teams at the end of the regular season receive a bye for the first round of the C-USA Tournament in Texas.


Opening Line: FAU +3

Additional Links:

2019-2020 FAU Basketball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest

2019-2020 FAU Basketball Season Discussion Thread - FAU Owl's Nest

Man, rough start to the game for FAU. We don't have single player with more than two points right now.

We're midway through the first half in West Dade, as #FIU leads #FAU 20-14.

Seven Owls are on the scoresheet, but they all just have a single FG.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 6, 2020

HALFTIME. FIU leads FAU, 32-23.

Owls are without a single three pointer nor any points in the paint. It's been all mid-range shots so far.

HALFTIME. #FIU 32 - #FAU 23

Sloppy end to the half from both sides, with neither scoring a FG in the final three minutes of the period.

Zecevic leads all scorers with 9 points.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 6, 2020

Oh man, this is ugly.

Ooooof. #FIU is shooting 50% from three, while #FAU is 0-14.

With that, it's no surprise the Panthers have raced to a massive 60-35 lead with 11:45 left in the game.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 6, 2020

Oh gosh. 

Owls are making comeback as we near the conclusion.

#FAU defense has stepped up as the Owls begin to mount a comeback.

The Owls are on an 8-0 run over the last 3:13, while #FIU hasn't scored in over five minutes.

Still, the Panthers lead 63-47 as we near five minutes left in the contest.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 6, 2020

FINAL. FIU beats FAU 69-50.

Disappointing game tonight against our rivals. We'll have a chance to bounce back on Saturday.

FINAL. #FIU 69 - #FAU 50.

Owls comeback effort falls short in West Dade County. FAU falls to 14-10 (6-5), but will have a chance to win three our of four on Saturday.

Zecevic was the only Owl in double digits, and lead the team with five rebounds.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 6, 2020

NJOWL said

Oh gosh. 

Posted On: Feb 5th 2020, 8:30 PM #393992

Yeaaaaaaah not fun.

Three point dogs (which means equal match-up at neutral site) and we got waxed by 19.

Yikes!

Hopefully we make the adjustments needed to return favor on Saturday!

Hopefully next time around we won't play so poorly.