EL PASO, Texas – The Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team (7-9, 5-7 Conference USA) fell victim to UTEP’s (15-6, 12-4 C-USA) hot shooting in the second half, falling to the Miners on the road, 92-62. FAU trailed UTEP by just three points at the end of the first half, but would be outscored 58-31 in the second.
HOW IT WAS DECIDED
1Q
Alexa Zaph got the Owls started off with a five quick points, as the Owls led, 5-2, two minutes into the game. Amber Gaston then came up with a huge block on the other end, adding to her highlight reel of swats in this weekend’s series. The Miners then went on a 9-3 run, while the Owls fell in a scoring drought for over two minutes until Astou Gaye knocked down a jumper. FAU had the lead twice late in the quarter, but UTEP nailed a 3-pointer to put the Miners ahead 17-16.
2Q
Iggy Allen and Nikola Ozola commenced the quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers, as the Owls trailed 23-22 in the opening three minutes. The Owls did not connect from the field for four minutes and it didn’t help UTEP was getting shots up just before the shot clock buzzer sounded. The Owls trailed 29-24 with 3:28 left in the half. FAU then kicked it into gear in the final minute of the half, ending on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to three points. The Owls trailed 34-31 after 20 minutes of play.
3Q
The Miners came out of the locker room with a vengeance, making shots left and right, while the Owls struggled to find their own. UTEP shot 45.8 percent from the field versus FAU’s 15.4 percentage in the third quarter. The Owls were outscored 32-9 in the frame and trailed 66-40.
4Q
UTEP kept building on their momentum initiated in the third quarter, opening up the quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers. The Owls had a better quarter, but were still outscored 26-22. FAU was unable to earn the sweep, falling to UTEP, 92-62.
GAME NOTES
- Allen was the Owls’ leading scorer with 15 points and four rebounds
- In her second game played in 2021, Gaye logged 13 points, six rebounds and tied a career-high four blocks. She earned her fourth 3+ block game of her career
- Zaph matched a season-high 13 points
- Rita Pleskevich recorded nine points, five boards and three assists
- Ozola matched a season-high seven points in the first half
- Gaston picked up four rebounds and three blocks, her sixth career 3+ block game. She now has 51 blocks in her career
UP NEXT
The Owls will be back home one last time to host Southern Miss on Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 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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