After starting the conference schedule 1-2, Florida Atlantic looked to earn a win against Tulsa (9-9, 3-3 AAC) on the road. The Golden Hurricanes, who were 1-3 in their previous four games, were looking for an answer in American play. Tulsa found that answer as they jumped over the Owls earning a 15-point victory.
First Half
Mya Perry’s three gave the Owls a 3-2 lead early, but Tulsa took a six point advantage with 5:17 remaining in the first, 11-5. The Golden Hurricanes held FAU to a 1-of-10 FG performance during the first five minutes. Florida Atlantic struggled to answer as they fell behind 19-8 forcing a timeout for the Owls with 1:41 left in the first. Tulsa then gained a lead of 14 in the remaining minute and change. Florida Atlantic trailed 22-10 at the end of one.
After falling behind by 17 early in the second, FAU put up an 8-0 run cutting the deficit down to nine, 27-18 Tulsa with 7:38 remaining in the half. The Owls scraped back once more after falling behind by double-digits as a Mya Perry layup brought the contest to seven, 31-24 Golden Hurricanes with 4:51 remaining. Florida Atlantic kept pushing with 1:45 remaining a Perry layup put the Owls within four, 37-33 Tulsa. At the half Tulsa led 39-33.
FAU shot just a 26% clip from the field with six of their ten shots being from beyond the arc. The Owls stayed in the game thanks to Maria Myklebust’s (pictured above, Angelina LaBelle) performance from deep as all nine of her points up until that point were from three.
Second Half
The two squads traded scores during the first five minutes of the third as the Golden Hurricanes extended their lead by only one point, 50-43 with 5:01 remaining in the third. A Kristina Godfrey three pulled FAU within five as they trailed 53-48 with 2:22 remaining (video below). Tulsa responded with a 10-0 run as they closed out the quarter with a 63-48 lead.
The Golden Hurricanes did not look back after their run in the third as they gained a 20-point lead early in the fourth, 70-50 Golden Hurricanes with 7:50 remaining in the fourth. Florida Atlantic trailed by 17 with 4:27 left in the game. A miracle was needed for the Owls but it did not come as they fell 79-64 to Tulsa.
Stat Leaders
Perry earned 20 points on the night as she led FAU in scoring. This was Perry’s tenth time on the year scoring 15 or more points in a contest. Myklebust and Jada Moore were the other two double-digit scorers with 14 and 12 respectively. As a team the Owls shot 28.2% from the field, their worst clip in conference play this season. Ta’Ziah Jenks dished out five assists as she led the way to the Owls eight assists. Jenks also earned 11 boards as Florida Atlantic earned 42 in the contest.
Look Ahead
Florida Atlantic (9-9, 1-4 AAC) will come back to the Sunshine state, but will be over in Tampa as they will face off against the USF Bulls (11-8, 4-2 AAC). The Bulls are coming off two close losses against North Texas and UAB while the Owls have lost three straight. South Florida has a great win against No. 16 Duke and are currently fourth in the American standings. The two teams will look to find the win column at 6 P.M on Saturday, Jan. 18.
