Seniors Jada Moore and Maria Myklebust along with the rest of FAU welcomed Memphis (7-21, 5-13 AAC) to the Elly. Senior night is always special, but ending a losing streak and earning the program’s first-ever victory over the Tigers made it even sweeter. A bad shooting night for Memphis was taken advantage of by Florida Atlantic, as the Owls closed out the regular season with a victory.
First Half
Memphis opened the contest taking an early 8-2 lead in the first. FAU responded, going on a 9-0 run taking an 11-8 lead with 4:12 remaining. The remainder of the quarter kept going Florida Atlantic’s way as the Owls led 17-12 at the end of the first.
The Tigers pulled within three early in the second, but FAU outscored Memphis 12-4 up until the media timeout as Florida Atlantic led 29-18. Memphis fought back though over the remainder of the half cutting the Owls lead down to six. It was 32-26 FAU entering the half.
FAU’s three-point shooting is what kept the Owls ahead as they shot five of 15 from deep while Memphis had a goose egg in the three-point shots made column.
Second Half
The Second Half kicked off with a Stefani Ingram three as the Owls led 35-26. Memphis had no answer within the first five minutes as Florida Atlantic opened the third with a 9-0 run, 41-26. Memphis’ fight was not over though as the Tigers started a 6-0 run forcing an Owls timeout with 2:32 left in the third; 41-32 FAU. The run continued for Memphis as FAU’s 15-point lead dwindled down to four thanks to the Tigers attack. 41-37 with 1:53 remaining in the third. At the end of the third, FAU led 43-37.
Florida Atlantic extended their lead to double-digits once more thanks to Mya Perry’s (pictured above, FAU Athletics) dominant start to the fourth. With 6:28 left, FAU led 54-44. The Tigers pulled within seven, with 3:49 left in the contest, FAU led 56-49. Both teams traded points for the next 1:43 as Florida Atlantic’s advantage held at seven, 61-54. Memphis pulled within five multiple times over the final 1:30, but could not close the deal as FAU ended their seven game losing streak with a 69-62 win.
Tuesday night’s contest was the Owls’ first victory over Memphis in program history. The major difference compared to the matchup from earlier this season, was Memphis’ three-point shooting. The Tigers went 3 of 16 and did not hit a shot from deep until the third this evening.
Owls Stat Leaders
Mya Perry had a career day. The Junior guard dropped 31 points, a career-high, off an 11-of-19 performance. Ingram also dropped 12. Senior Jada Moore earned a game-high nine rebounds as the Owls collected 44 as a team. Ingram once again led the way with eight assists.
Look Ahead
After results on Tuesday night, Florida Atlantic (11-20, 3-15 AAC) will square off against UNC Charlotte (9-20, 4-14 AAC) in the AAC Tournament. In both meetings between the Charlotte 49ers and FAU, the Owls fell 75-68, and 58-53. Florida Atlantic’s downfall in their matchups with Charlotte were slow starts and inconsistent three-point shooting. FAU went 5-of-23 from deep in their most recent matchup against the ‘Niners. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday, March 8 at 1 PM in Denton, TX.
