The Florida Atlantic Owls flew West as they took on the Wichita State Shockers (8-16, 2-9 AAC). While FAU had just ended a seven-game losing streak, the Shockers were looking to end one of their own. A tale of two-halves was the tone setter for WSU as Wichita State earned a double-digit victory over Florida Atlantic to end the Shockers losing streak.
First Half
FAU’s Ta’Ziah Jenks opened the scoring with a made free throw. After the Owls gained a 3-2 lead, the Shockers went on a 7-0 run taking a 9-3 lead. At the first media timeout Wichita State led 9-5, 4:13 left in the first. At the 3:19 mark, Lovisa Asbrink Hose hit a jumper marking the deficit at two, 11-9 Shockers. The final shot of the first was a made three by the Owls’ Mya Perry who made her return to the court after missing the last two games. WSU led 13-12 through one.
Perry once again made a three giving the Owls a 15-13 advantage shortly into the second. FAU extended their lead to six thanks to an 8-0 run for Florida Atlantic, 23-17 with 7:12 left in the half. After a made three from Perry, she and WSU’s KP Parr were assessed technical fouls. At the media timeout FAU led 26-21. Later, the Owls lead reached seven, but WSU closed the half on a 8-2 run as the Shockers trailed by just one. FAU led 30-29 at halftime.
While Wichita State had a better shot% (41% compared to Florida Atlantic’s 34%), A 5-17 performance from deep for FAU was the difference early in the first as WSU went 0 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Second Half
Quickly into the second half, the Shockers took the lead, 31-30 thanks to a pair of free throws. Wichita State had a 8-3 run in the first four minutes of the third as the Owls trailed 37-33. After a nearly five minute scoring drought for both schools, WSU had back-to-back buckets as the Owls trailed 41-33 with 1:19 remaining in the third. FAU had a 7:17 scoring drought ended thanks to a Jenks free throw. At the end of three WSU led 45-34.
After a near 8 minute FG drought, Perry scored a layup pulling the Owls within nine, 45-36 Shockers. Another long scoring drought for both squads, Perry made another three as the Owls trailed 47-40 with less than six minutes in the contest. At the media break FAU trailed 49-42. Eventually, pulling back within seven, FAU started fouling as they had not fouled in the fourth quarter. WSU led 51-44 with less than a minute in the game. Sadly the fouling game did not work for Florida Atlantic as Wichita State won the contest 54-44.
The Owls went 5 of 27 in the second half. While for many teams that number would be a definite loss, the charity stripe is where a major discrepancy was as well. FAU went 3 of 12 from the free throw line, and had multiple opportunities to make free throws that would lead to only a two possession game.
Owls Stat Leaders
Mya Perry’s (pictured above, FAU Athletics) return can not be understated. The Junior guard scored 22 of the Owls 44 points while no other Owl had more than nine points. As a team FAU shot 27.4% from the floor and 7 of 26 from three. Asbrink Hose secured eight boards as Florida Atlantic earned 44 rebounds. Jada Moore (Top picture, FAU Athletics) dished for seven assists as the Owls gained 18.
Look Ahead
Florida Atlantic (10-14, 2-9 AAC) will stay on the road as the Owls will face off against the Memphis Tigers (5-16, 3-7 AAC). The Tigers have a 93-83 win over the Shockers under their belt. All-time, the series between FAU and Memphis is short as the teams have only one matchup against each other. Memphis earned a 20-point victory over the Owls last January. Florida Atlantic will look to even the series this weekend on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m.
