BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team (1-0) took care of business in Monday’s home opener against North Florida (0-3) with a 93-81 win. Five Owls racked up double digits in scoring behind Allie Tylka’s career-high 19 points.
How It Was Decided
1Q
Lotta Vekha-Aho got the show started, going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc to put the Owls up, 11-10 after three minutes of play. FAU took advantage of UNF’s four turnovers within a three minute stretch to go on a 13-5 run. With six seconds left in the frame, UNF scored a 3-pointer to creep closer to FAU and make it a 24-20 game.
2Q
Astou Gaye opened up the quarter with a 3-pointer and after a three-minute scoring drought, Iggy Allen took over the show. The graduate transfer tallied back-to-back-to-back baskets to score seven points in 71 seconds to lengthen the Owls’ lead to 38-25 with 2:01 to play. FAU went into the locker room with a 10 point lead, 40-30.
3Q
FAU kicked off the third quarter by going on a 9-2 run in the first four minutes of the quarter. Alexa Zaph then hit a 3-pointer to put the Owls up, 54-31. With two minutes left in the frame, Gaye’s second-chance layup got the Owls on a 9-1 scoring drive, which included Tylka’s third 3-pointer of the game. Janeta Rozentale made a jumper off a turnover and Bre Beck sank two free throws to cap off the quarter. The Owls outscored the Ospreys 27-17 behind 47.8 percent shooting from the field in the third.
4Q
The Owls were outscored 34-26 in the fourth quarter, as three Owls were fouled out in the quarter. UNF creeped within four points with 1:49 left to play, but Vehka-Aho stole the ball and got fouled on the other end. The sophomore sunk both free throws to put the Owls up by six points. After a missed UNF 3-pointer, Tylka delivered a layup with 50 seconds left off the clock with the Owls leading, 87-79. In the final 50 seconds of play, FAU outscored the Ospreys 6-2 to elevate to a 93-81 win.
Game Notes
- Five Owls tallied double digits in scoring
- Tylka led the Owls with a career-high 19 points
- In her Owl debut, Allen delivered an amazing stat line with a collegiate career-high 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals
- Vehka-Aho tallied 14 points along with three assists in her first game back since early February
- Zaph tallied 11 points with five rebounds and five assists
- Gaye earned her fourth career double-double with less than a minute to go in the game. The senior ended the night with 11 points and 13 rebounds
- Beck added seven points in her Owl debut
- Janeta Rozentale was hot off the glass with six points, nine rebounds and two blocks
- The Owls outrebounded the Ospreys 53-40 and had 19 assists to UNF’s 12
With Coach Jabir
“I’m happy with our scoring output, but I know we have a long way to go in our offensive game and consistent defensive effort,” said head coach Jim Jabir. “But overall, I’m very happy with the win.”
Up Next
FAU will head down I-95 south to face Miami on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
Game Highlights
https://fausports.com/news/2020/11/30/womens-basketball-balanced-effort-elevates-owls-past-ospreys.aspx?utm_medium=sidearm-email&utm_source=fausports.com&utm_campaign=Balanced+Effort+Elevates+Owls+Past+Ospreys&utm_content=d46696fc-3896-4a7f-9e3b-fd064f66b3cd
Owls on Social Media
For complete coverage of FAU women’s basketball, follow us on Twitter (@FAUWBB), Instagram (@FAUWBB) and Facebook (FAU Women’s Basketball).
