FAU faced off against GCU (10-2) from the WAC conference. Florida Atlantic came into the contest with two-straight wins while Grand Canyon had seven-straight. It was not the best night for the Owls as the ‘Lopes dominated the contest with an over 20-point victory
First Half
Three-pointers reigned supreme to open the contest with both squads trading shots from beyond the arc. Florida Atlantic gained an 8-3 lead with 7:31 remaining in the first. GCU answered with a 10-0 run taking the 13-8 advantage with 4:20 left in the quarter. Grand Canyon extended their lead to eight as at the end of the first it was 20-12, Antelopes.
An Erin Rodgers layup brought the deficit down to six for FAU, but the ‘Lopes took a double-digit lead of 25-14 with 7:40 left in the second. Grand Canyon’s lead fell slightly but they still led by nine at the media timeout, 30-21 GCU. The lead continued to dwindle as the Owls only trailed 30-25, but with 1:27 remaining the ‘Lopes led 34-25. At that same mark Erin Rodgers went down with an injury. She stayed out for the remainder of the contest. It was all GCU heading into the half with Grand Canyon leading 39-25
At the half Rodgers was the leading scorer for the Owls as FAU would need everyone to step up in replacement of Rodgers. Florida Atlantic had a 58% shot% but had only 19 shots compared to 35 from GCU.
Second Half
Jada Moore free throws started the scoring but back-to-back Grand Canyon threes gave GCU a 45-27 lead as the Owls called a timeout with 6:53 remaining. The lead fluctuated down the stretch, but GCU took a 21-point lead with 3:40 left in the third. FAU cut the deficit to 17, but the ‘Lopes led by 19 at the end of the third. 60-41.
Stefanie Ingram, scored the first three points of the fourth. GCU went on a 7-0 run taking a 23 point lead. At the media timeout GCU led 69-47. Florida Atlantic tried to keep the deficit below 20, but the ‘Lopes’ dominant play gave Grand Canyon a 81-60 victory over the Owls.
Stat Leaders
Mya Perry (pictured above, FAU) led the Owls in scoring including a 3-of-5 performance from three with Ingram and Jada Moore following with 13. Jenks, Ingram, and Alana Rouser had five boards each with the Owls tallying 31 rebounds. Ingram also led the way with assists as she secured seven as Florida Atlantic earned 13. The ‘Lopes was 14-of-36 beyond the arc, almost tripling the Owls 5-of-17 performance.
Florida Atlantic (7-5) faces Wright State (2-10, 0-3 Horizon) in the Owls final non-conference game of the year. It will be a bounce back for FAU and a search for leadership off the bench without Rodgers.The Raiders have struggled as of late with their last win coming against Ohio in late November. Tipoff between the two squads is set for 12 pm on Saturday, Dec. 21.
