GAME THREAD: WKU vs. FAU - 12/31/16 @ 1:00 PM



What: WKU (6-7) vs FAU (4-7)

When: Saturday, Dec 31st @ 1:00 PM

Where: FAU Arena

Series: WKU leads the all-time series with the Owls 13-5, and a 6-2 all-time record in Boca Raton.


TV: Fox College Sports Atlantic

Live Video: None

Radio: ESPN 106.3

Live Stats: Here


Hilltopper Team Site: Here


WKU at a Glance

Offense - 68.7 PPG, 43% FG, 36% 3PT

Defense - 72.9 PGA, 45% FGA, 37% 3PTA

Rebounding - 35.1 PG Team, 35.5 PG Opponents


Notables

The Hilltoppers (6-7) are coming off a 97-92 home win over Austin Peay on Wednesday to close their nonconference slate and are searching for their first three-game winning streak of the season.

The Hilltoppers are averaging 78.8 points per game and shooting 46.5 percent through five home contests this season, while averaging 62.4 points and shooting 40.7 percent away from E.A. Diddle Arena.

WKU head coach Rick Stansbury is 1-1 in his career against Florida Atlantic. Stansbury needs one win to reach 300 victories for his career.


FAU at a Glance

Offense - 72.6 PPG, 43% FG, 37% 3PT

Defense - 71.2 PGA, 43% FGA, 37% 3PTA

Rebounding - 35.5 PG Team, 38.5 PG Opponents


Notables

Florida Atlantic (4-7) owns signature wins over South Florida and at Ohio State in non-conference action. Center Ronald Delph leads FAU in scoring (10.6 pg), rebounding (8.5 pg), and blocks (1.6 pg), while Nick Rutherford owns the best marks in assists (5.5 pg) and steals (1.2 pg).

Florida Atlantic dropped a 75-62 decision to cross state foe Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday night. Jeantal Cylla posted a team high 16 points for the Owls who were out-hustled on the glass 37-27 while having a tough time containing the Eagle's inside scoring  game.

As a team, the Owls enter the league opener ranked 7th in offense and eight in defense out of the 14 C-USA members.


Latest Line

FAU -3

FAU MBB vs WKU set to tip

Starters for the Owls

10 Rutherford
13 Neely
15 Ingram
01 Cylla
33 Delph

15:55  FAU 9  WKU 7

Owls hot to start at 4-of-7.

Toppers in a bit of foul trouble, Lomomba and Lawson each with two.

11:21 FAU holding a 19-16 edge, and maintaining a 64% FG performance.

Delph near double-digits with 8 points for the Owls.

7:49 Still a three point contest with FAU on top 21-18.

Filer 2-3 off the bench, Owls not shooting the trey much with only two attempts.

6:21  4-0 run by the Toppers has Curry calling time.

WKU 21  FAU 20

3:44 WKU 26  FAU 25 at the last media stop.

FAU has cooled to 44% FG after a torrid start.

HALFTIME: FAU 31  WKU 33

Booker is mugged on a 3PT attempt just before the horn, but there is no call.

 

Team Stats at the Half:

14:50 2nd

Toppers have opened up a 40-34 lead as FAU is now 0-7 from downtown.

Owls 10-13 at the line to WKU's 7-of-15 or could be more.