The road trip continued for FAU as the Owls traveled to the “Land of the Blues” in search of a bounce back win against the Memphis Tigers (6-16, 4-7 AAC). Both squads had struggled this season, but Memphis left Florida Atlantic behind in the fourth as the Tigers beat the Owls.
First Half
Thanks to back-to-back layups from Ta’Ziah Jenks the Owls led 4-3 early in the contest. The game stayed close as at the media timeout FAU and Memphis were tied at 10. During the back half of the first, the Owls gained a 14-10 lead. Memphis then closed the quarter on a 6-0 run as the Tigers led 16-14 despite a five-minute scoring drought.
Memphis’ 3-pt barrage forced a FAU timeout as the Owls quickly found themselves down eight with 7:55 remaining in the first half, 22-14. Afterwards, Florida Atlantic responded nicely after trailing by eight, as the Owls used a 13-2 run, taking a 27-24 lead. At the end of the first, the matchup was tied again at 29.
Florida Atlantic closed the half with five-straight FGs made while Memphis went two of their last 11.
Second Half
Stefani Ingram hit the first bucket of the third thanks to a made three as the Owls led 32-29 two minutes into the second half. The game then seesawed for the next three minutes with Memphis taking the 42-40 lead with 4:11 left in the third. Shortly after, the Tigers still led, 45-43 with 2:35 on the clock in the third. At the end of the third Memphis led 48-46.
The Tigers extended their lead to seven with 6:15 left in the contest as the Owls trailed 57-50. Memphis then tied their largest lead up to that point at eight as the Tigers led 60-52 with five minutes to go. The game slowly drifted to Memphis as the Tigers lead continued to stretch as FAU trailed 65-56 with less than three minutes to go. Florida Atlantic could not keep up down the stretch as the Owls fell 73-60.
Florida Atlantic was outscored 25-14 in the fourth quarter. This was thanks to a stellar defensive performance by the Tigers and a four of nine performance from deep in the fourth by Memphis
The loss is Florida Atlantic’s ninth in their previous ten games.
Owls Stat Leaders
Jada Moore (pictured above, FAU Athletics) led the Owls in scoring as she dropped 15. Stefani Ingram was not far behind as she scored 13. Moore and Ingram also had four assists each as FAU earned 14. Moore and Maria Myklebust each secured eight rebounds. Florida Atlantic grabbed 41 boards on the day.
Look Ahead
Florida Atlantic (10-15, 2-10 AAC) will have a midweek bye before hosting South Florida (16-8, 9-2 AAC). In the previous matchup between the schools, the Bulls dismantled the Owls in an 85-59 bludgeoning. Since that point, USF has won five straight and are coming off a win against Temple earlier on Saturday. It will be a tough test for FAU as they will face the 2nd best team in the conference, on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2 pm.
