FAU begins a road trip in Texas with a stop in San Antonio






What: FAU (5-9, 1-2) vs. UTSA (7-9, 2-1)

When: Thursday, Jan. 12th @ 8:00

Where: Convocation Center

Series: FAU holds a slight 3-2 advantage in this young series, with FAU winning the last 3.


TV: None

Live Video: CUSA.tv *FEE

Radio: ESPN 106.3



UTSA Team Site: Here


UTSA at a Glance

Offense -  66.4PPG, 39% FG, 29% 3PT

Defense - 69.4 PGA, 42% FGA, 332% 3PTA

Rebounding - 40.6 PG Team, 35.3 PG Opponents


Notables

Having struggled earlier in the year, UTSA is entering tonight's game having won five of their last seven; including wins against traditional CUSA powers, UTEP and Louisiana Tech. Sixth man and second-leading scorer Nick Billingsley's status tonight is uncertain due to academic concerns. So UTSA will have to look elsewhere for his 11.1 average PPG. So expect Italian U20 national team guard Giovanni De Nicolao to take Billingsley's place.



FAU at a Glance

Offense - 71.3 PPG, 42% FG, 34% 3PT

Defense - 71.8 PGA, 43% FGA, 37% 3PTA

Rebounding - 35.8 PG Team, 40.2 PG Opponents


Notables

FAU resumes CUSA play after getting their first conference win by holding off a furious FIU rally last Saturday. Up big throughout the game the Panthers almost stole one before running into foul trouble in the closing seconds. Since the return of Justin Massey, a trio of Owls have averaged scoring in the double digits. Massey joins Delph and Filer in players hoping to expand their PPG average above the 11 point threshold.



Latest Line

UTSA -1

Owls to attempt their fourth straight win over UTSA. We're minutes away from tipoff at the Convocation Center.

Here's our starting lineup for tonight.

Same lineup tonight for #FAU @ #UTSA

G Nick Rutherford

G Adonis Filer

F Jeantal Cylla

F Jailyn Ingram

C Ronald Delph

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017

Owls doing a fine job defensively, forcing UTSA to 22% FG as we race out to an early lead.

Man, that was fast start! Owls sound defense and rebounding is leading to multiple chances early. FAU is up 10-6, 15:05 left in first half.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017

Both squads are struggling from the arch. Owls are 1-4, Roadrunners 1-6.  

It took a bit, but Troutman hits the first three pointer for the Owls. It's now a 16-10 lead for FAU, with 11:54 remaining in the half.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017

Owls looking good early, but shooting 23% on three-pointers & 25% from the charity stripe is very worrisome.

Owls are on a 8-0 run over the last 3 minutes to take a 21-10 lead. 😎😎😎😎😎

Still early, with 9:00 left in the half.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017

Here come the Roadrunners. UTSA now taking better shot selections and controlling the boards, all while we've gone colder than Alaska.

Ingram brings an end to FAU's drought with a contested reverse hookshot.

THAT. WAS. GORGEOUS.

Owls lead 23-21 at the 6:36 mark.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017

Owls are now in foul trouble, putting UTSA in the bonus just before half. Allowing the 'Runners to take the lead into halftime wouldn't be an ideal way to begin this road trip.

Owls lead 25-21 with 3:59 left in the half. FAU's made 2 of their last 8, forcing the Owls to hold off quite the rally from the Roadrunners.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017

Multiple fouls on both sides, a couple of shot-clock violations, and a referee review all contribute to a painful end to the first half.

We've hit halftime at the UTSA Convocation Center. Owls lead the Roadrunners 33-28.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017

Not listed here is UTSA's Jeff Beverly having a solid night. He leads all scorers with 14 points, and is the only player in double digits.

Here are the halftime individual stats for FAU and comparison stats vs UTSA.

Ingram leads FAU scorers at 8

Filer leads FAU rebounders at 5 pic.twitter.com/Y6P7tdI1eK

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017

Multiple UTSA turnovers lead to an early second half run for the Owls.

#FAU comes storming out of the halftime to extend the lead to 37-28! Let's get a run to put UTSA away in front of their fans. 17:05 left.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) January 13, 2017