Owls open Sun Belt play 1-0 for first time in school history The Florida Atlantic University womens basketball team grinded out a 48-30 victory over New Orleans from Lakefront Arena on Wednesday night in the conference opener for both teams. The Owls (5-5, 1-0) led throughout the entire game and played stellar defense, holding the Privateers to 23.4% shooting from the field and 0-for-16 from three-point range. Lyrell Barfield led all scorers with 15 points and made a game-high five field goals. Jessica Knurick also had a solid game with six points and a team-high nine rebounds. Candace Lambert also added seven points in the victory for FAU. The Privateers (6-5, 0-1) struggled mightily in the first half making only five field goals as FAU held a 23-11 lead at halftime. Brittany Helm led the way for New Orleans with 10 points and eight rebounds in the game. Candace McGee and Nicole Holmes also had solid games on the glass with 12 and 10 rebounds respectively. FAU took control right from the start and began the game on a 19-3 run. The second half was more of the same as the closest New Orleans would come was a 35-25 deficit with 8:26 remaining. However, a Knurick three-pointer expanded the lead back to 13 points at 38-25 and FAU did not look back the rest of the way. The 30-point output by the Privateers is the fewest points scored by New Orleans this season and the fewest points allowed by an FAU team since Webber mustered only 25 points back on January 23, 1987. The Owls will have a couple of days off before taking on another Sun Belt Conference opponent on Saturday afternoon with a game against Louisiana-Lafayette. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. as the Owls seek a 2-0 start in Sun Belt play.
