MIAMI – The Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team (3-7, 2-5 Conference USA) was unable to complete the sweep over rival FIU (6-6, 3-3 C-USA) on Saturday, falling to the Panthers, 65-62. FAU’s fourth quarter struggles continued, as the Owls gave up the lead with just a minute remaining in the contest. The Owls and Panthers split the series, both winning on their home courts.
HOW IT WAS DECIDED
1Q
FIU started out the game on an 8-2 run, leading FAU head coach Jim Jabir to call a timeout with 7:37 remaining in the first. The Owls then took advantage of an FIU scoring drought for over three minutes. Sofia Galeron knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers and FAU found themselves within three of the Panthers. Allie Tylka tied up the game at 15 with under three minutes to go in the first. FIU then tied up the game with 18 seconds left, but Iggy Allen beat the buzzer with a layup to inch the Owls ahead, 23-21.
2Q
FIU began the quarter on a 5-0 run, while FAU committed three turnovers in less than a minute. Nikola Ozola then converted back-to-back baskets with her second layup pulling the Owls back on top, 28-27 with 5:43 on the clock. FAU fell into a scoring drought for almost three minutes and FIU took advantage to take the lead, 33-29, with under two minutes left. FAU ended the quarter with a pair of free throws converted by Allen and Janeta Rozentale to tie the game up at 33 a piece.
3Q
The Panthers began the quarter on a 5-2 run, but Allen logged her fourth career double-double off a driving layup with 7:50 remaining to put the Owls back on top. Both teams fell into scoring droughts for quite some time and then Rozentale tied up the game with a layup. FIU went back up after a free throw, but two shots sunk from the charity strike for Rozentale helped the Owls take a one point lead, 45-44.
4Q
The fourth quarter struggles continued for the Owls, as FAU was unable to hang onto a late lead for the third time this season. FAU began the quarter on fire, initiating a 9-2 run, which was highlighted by a Pleskevich 3-pointer. The Owls were up by nine points, 55-46, with 6:45 remaining, and that is when the lead began to chip away. FIU went on a 10-3 run and the Owls had just a two-point lead with under two minutes to play. The Panthers’ Fujika Nimmo then knocked down the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:05 left in the game. A Pleskevich 3-pointer inched the Owls within one point with five seconds left, but the Owls fell in Miami, 65-62.
GAME NOTES
- Rozentale tallied her second career double-double off a career-high 17 points and 10 rebounds. The redshirt sophomore also registered her second consecutive three-block game
- Allen logged her second consecutive double-double, which became her fourth of the season. She tallied 15 points and 17 rebounds, while adding three steals and a block
- The Owls had two players with a double-double (Rozentale and Allen), which was the first time since last season against North Texas (Jan. 11, 2020)
- Pleskevich notched up double digits in scoring with 10 points and three assists
- Galeron matched a career-high eight points, while pulling down five boards
- Nikola Ozola recorded six points, five rebounds and a team-high five assists
- Tylka added six points
UP NEXT
FAU will hit the road again to face Charlotte for a series on Friday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 23 with a 3 p.m. tipoff. The Owls will be back home to face Marshall on Friday, Jan. 29 (5 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 30 (2 p.m.). 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 tickets@fau.edu.
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