BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team (1-1) looks to bounce back from its first loss last Thursday, as the Owls take on the Florida Gators (3-1) on Monday night. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at the O’Connell Center with the game being broadcast on SEC Network.
About the Owls
- FAU is seeking a bounce back win on Monday following a 73-61 loss at Miami last Thursday night
- Jim Jabir, who is in his fourth year at the helm, captured his first season-opening win at FAU after the Owls defeated North Florida, 93-81 last Monday. The Owls claimed that victory behind all five starters scoring double digits, while reaching 90+ points for the first time since 2018 when the Owls dropped 99 points at UTSA
- The program is looking for its first win over a Power 5 opponent since 1997 when FAU beat Ole Miss, 71-61
- Jabir’s 2020-21 squad is comprised of 13 returners and four newcomers
- Iggy Allen leads the team with 20.5 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, as well as 3.0 steals and 2.5 assists per game. Alexa Zaph follows with 12.0 points per game and is the team’s assist leader (4.0 assists per game)
- Allie Tylka is the third Owl averaging double digits in scoring (10.5 PPG), while Janeta Rozentale has the team’s best of four blocks and has pulled down 7.5 rebounds per game in the first two contests
History Against the Gators
- Monday night marks the first time since 1999 the two teams will go head to head
- FAU lags in the series, 6-1
- The Owls’ lone win over the Gators in 1993 was off an 84-63 score
- UF beat FAU in the last game played in 1999, 98-71
- FAU is 1-2 at home and 0-4 in Gainesville in the series
Scouting Florida
- UF was chosen to round out in 12th in the Southeastern Conference, as voted on by the league’s head coaches
- The Gators defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday afternoon, 81-58. UF was led by Lavender Briggs’ 22 points, followed by Kiara Smith (19 points along with six rebounds)
- Briggs was given a nod to the SEC Preseason Second Team. She averaged 15.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in her freshman season. After four games this year, Briggs is averaging 16.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game
- Smith is the Gators’ leading scorer with 17.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game along with team highs in total assists and steals, 14 in each category
- Nina Rickards (12.5 points per game) and Danielle Rainey (12.3 points per game) also averages double digits in scoring after four games
Last Time Out
- The Owls dropped a hard-fought tilt at Miami on Thursday, 73-61
- FAU moved ahead by one point late in the third quarter for the first time of the game thanks to an Allen 3-pointer, but the Owls were unable to hold onto the lead
- Allen had quite the homecoming against her former team. She recorded a career-high 23 points on five 3-pointers, with eight rebounds and three steals
- Zaph followed with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals
- Rozentale came off the bench to score nine points, pull down five boards and earn her second consecutive two-block game
Upcoming
FAU will have a little less than two weeks until its next contest. The Owls will wrap up non-conference play against Florida Memorial on Friday, Dec. 18. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at Abessinio Court at FAU Arena. Tickets may be purchased here. All tickets for home games will be delivered digitally on individual mobile devices. Season tickets may be purchased through the ticket office by calling 1-800-FAU-OWLS (866-328-6957) or emailing [email protected].
Owls on Social Media
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