Florida Atlantic got to spend some time back in Paradise as they hosted Kennesaw State (3-5) in a battle of the Owls. Both squads came into the game 2-2 in their previous four games, but one squad would be able to end their ways of being .500. Last year KSU won the matchup, but FAU responded earning a double-digit victory to claim their fifth home victory of the season.
First Half
Starting out, Kennesaw State controlled the contest as KSU led 12-4 with 4:35 remaining in the first. KSU gained their largest lead at 18-4, but FAU was able to bring the deficit down to ten at the end of the first quarter, 18-8 Kennesaw State.
Florida Atlantic made it a game again after a slow first thanks to Ta’Ziah Jenks jumper and three-pointer as FAU was able to cut the deficit at three, 20-17 KSU. Kennesaw State responded as they stretched their lead back to eight with 5:47 remaining. The lead fluctuated for the remainder of the quarter, but shots by Van Der Woude (pictured above, FAU) and Moore brought the contest within two closing the half, 28-26 KSU.
Stefani Ingram and Jada Moore combined for 13 points at the end of the first half with their performances keeping Florida Atlantic in the contest.
Second Half
After a slow first half, FAU came out swinging in the second. KSU worked their lead to four, but a 6-0 run gave Florida Atlantic the lead at 34-32 with 6:40 remaining in the third. Florida Atlantic extended the run to 10-0 in a span of 3:09 as FAU led 38-32 with 4:27 remaining in the third. The run ended at 12 with FAU leading 40-32. At the end of the quarter Florida Atlantic gained a double-digit advantage, 49-39 FAU heading into the fourth.
Mya Perry opened the scoring in the fourth with a three, furthering the lead to 13, 52-39 Florida Atlantic. After a KSU bucket, FAU’s Ingram drained a three as Florida Atlantic led 55-41 with seven minutes remaining. After the media timeout, Kennesaw State cut the lead to nine, 55-46 FAU. Florida Atlantic responded back by gaining their largest lead of the night at 16, 69-53 with 2:32 remaining in the contest. FAU ended the evening on 6 of 8 from the field as they entered back in the win column, 71-56 Florida Atlantic.
Stats
Jada Moore led the way with 20 points, a season high, while four Owls earned double digit performances. Stefani Ingram led in assists with her total of five as FAU earned 11. Emaya Lewis garnered seven boards while Alana Rouser and Moore followed with each earning six. As a team Florida Atlantic earned 41 boards.
Coach Sullivan Post-Game
Coach Sullivan shared her thoughts about the Owls victory, “Super excited. I mean, we got off to a really rocky start in the first half, and I think kind of halfway through the second we started piecing it together. I was a little nervous going into the game, because we were off for eight days and sometimes they can be a little bit scary, and they’re a team that gets after it defensively, so just making sure our kids were as prepared as possible. And I was just super, super proud how they responded. I really think our team took a big step.”
Look Ahead
Florida Atlantic (6-4) will head out West as they participate in the GCU Christmas Classic. FAU will open the event against Georgia Southern (6-3) from the Sun Belt Conference. The Eagles are coming off a 78-46 victory over Coastal Georgia. Florida Atlantic will also square off against Grand Canyon and Wright State. The upcoming week is the final week of non-conference basketball for the Owls. The contest between FAU and Georgia Southern is scheduled to tip at 2 p.m on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
