Owls set for first C-USA road trip at UAB & Charlotte

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic women’s basketball (9-2, 2-0 C-USA) hits the road this weekend for the Owls first C-USA road trip of the year, facing off against the UAB Blazers (8-4, 0-3 C-USA) on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. before closing out the week in Charlotte, N.C. against the Charlotte 49ers (6-6, 2-1 C-USA) on Saturday, Jan. 7 for a 2 p.m. tip.

Florida Atlantic Women’s Basketball (9-2, 2-0 C-USA) at UAB (8-4, 0-3 C-USA) & Charlotte (6-6, 2-1 C-USA)
 Matchup Details at UAB | Thursday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. ET | Birmingham, Ala. | Bartow Arena
 at Charlotte | Saturday, Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. ET | Charlotte, N.C. | Halton Arena
 Game Coverage at UAB | Streaming: C-USA.TV | Live Stats
 at Charlotte | Streaming: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Twitter: @FAUWBB
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 UAB Links  Roster | Schedule | Stats
 Charlotte Links Roster | Schedule | Stats

SCOUTING FAU

FAU is in its second year under head coach Jennifer Sullivan, who has led the Owls to a 13-27 record over her two seasons in Boca Raton. The Owls enter this weekend’s games 9-2 overall this season and are on a two-game C-USA winning streak and are just coming off a 66-61 win over North Texas.

The Owls are led by Aniya Hubbard, who is averaging a team-best 12.8 points per game. Alexa Zaph is also averaging double-digits with 10.1 points per game, while Janeta Rozentale is averaging a team third-best 9.7 points per game this season. Through two games, Hubbard ranks second in C-USA in scoring during conference play, averaging 19.5 points per game. She also leads the Owls in assists, dishing out 2.3 per game, and steals, averaging 1.8 steals per contest. Rozentale leads the Owls in rebounds, collecting 6.5 rebounds per contest, and blocks, averaging 0.8 blocks per game this season.

As a team, the Owls lead C-USA in 3-point percentage defense (.235) and defensive rebounds per game (28.7), second in the league in scoring defense (57.2), field goal percentage defense (.360), total rebounds per game (42.2), and fewest fouls per game (15.9), third in rebound margin (6.1), offensive rebounds per game (13.5), and winning percentage (81.8), fourth in turnovers forced per game (18.2) and steals per game (9.0), and fifth in scoring margin (8.0) and free throw attempts per game (21.4).

SCOUTING UAB

UAB is in its 10th season under head coach Randy Norton, who has amassed a 171-116 record over his decade-long career in Birmingham. The Blazers enter Thursday’s contest at 8-4 and 0-3 in C-USA play this season. The Blazers are currently on a two-game losing streak and are just 1-3 in their last four contests.

The Blazers are paced this season by Denim DeShields, Margaret Whitley, and Lyndsey Robson, who are averaging 12.7, 11.8, and 10.0 points per game each, respectively. DeShields leads the Blazers in assists, averaging 3.9 assists per game. Kylee Schneringer leads UAB in assists, collecting 5.0 rebounds per game and Maria Roters leads the team in steals, collecting 1.4 steals per game this season.

As a team, UAB leads C-USA in scoring offense (76.6), three point percentage (.369), three pointers per game (9.8), assist/turnover ratio (1.12), and fewest turnovers per game (12.9), second in scoring margin (10.1), three point percentage defense (.282), three point attempts per game (26.4), assists per game (14.5), and defensive rebounds per game (28.6), fourth in field goal percentage (.427) and field goal percentage defense (.383), and fifth in winning percentage (66.7), free throws made per game (14.5), and turnover margin (2.2).

SCOUTING CHARLOTTE

Charlotte is in its 12th season under head coach Cara Consuegra, who has collected a 203-141 record. The 49ers are 6-6 overall and 2-1 in C-USA play so far this season. Charlotte is riding a one-game winning streak after falling in two of the 49ers’ last three games.

Mikayla Boykin leads the 49ers, averaging 15.6 points per game, while Dazia Lawrence and Jada McMillian also average double-digits this season with 14.1 and 12.3 points per game this season. Boykin also leads Charlotte in boards, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. Lawrence has collected a team-leading 1.0 steals per game and McMillian leads the 49ers in assists, dishing out a team-best 4.75 per contest. Mya McGraw has tallied a team-best 1.0 blocks per game.

As a team, Charlotte ranks third in fewest fouls per game (16.0), fourth in defensive rebounds per game (26.6), blocks per game (3.1), and fewest turnovers per game (14.9), and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (0.75), and free throw percentage (.706).

SERIES HISTORY

Against UAB, FAU is 3-11 all-time. UAB holds a 6-1 all-time record in Birmingham. The Blazers also won the last meeting between the two teams 82-65 on January 15, 2022, in Boca Raton.

Against Charlotte, FAU trails 3-8 in the all-time series. The 49ers hold a 6-1 all-time record for games in Charlotte. The Owls are on a three-game skid against the 49ers, falling 76-47 on Feb. 26, 2022, in the last meeting between the two programs.

UP NEXT

The Owls remain on the road next weekend as they head to Miami on Thursday, Jan. 12 for a rematch against rival FIU, before closing out the week in Denton, Texas for another rematch against the North Texas Mean Green on Saturday, Jan. 14.

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