FRISCO, Texas (FAUSports.com) – The Florida Atlantic University men’s basketball team saw its time at the Conference USA Championship tournament come to a close late Thursday night, dropping an 80-66 decision to UAB in the quarterfinals.
The Blazers were red hot early and built a lead of as many as 20 in the first half. But the Owls kept battling and pulled within 12 at the intermission.
The second half was more of the same. UAB (25-7) pushed the lead to as many as 22 seven minutes into the second half. But FAU (19-14) wouldn’t go away. The Owls used an 18-4 run over the next six minutes to pull within eight points, 71-63, with 6:39 remaining.
Over the next three minutes, FAU had five opportunities to trim its deficit. But two turnovers and three missed field-goal attempts were the result of those possessions. UAB’s Michael Ertel then provided the knockout blow for the Blazers, hitting a 3-pointer with 3:50 remaining. The Owls never got within single digits again.
“Things didn’t go well early and our guys could have easily folded,” FAU head coach Dusty May said. “They battled, chipped away and put ourselves in position to really make it interesting late. We were down eight and had a couple really good looks that just didn’t drop. If they fall, we continue with our momentum.”
In the first half, it was reigning Conference USA Player of the Year Jordan Walker and UAB who had all the momentum. Walker hit three 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the contest. His hot shooting was contagious. The Blazers scorched the nets for 58 percent (18-of-31) from the field, including 63.6 percent shooting from behind the arc (7-of-11) in the opening 20 minutes.
Walker scored a game-high 26 points in the contest. UAB running mate Quan Jackson added 20. Three Olws were in double digits, paced by Michael Forrest’s 16-point effort. Alijah Martin scored 11 and Everett Winchester added 10. Martin also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds and dished out a game-best four assists.
FAU will now await a possible postseason tournament invitation. Stay tuned to FAUSports.com and the FAU Athletics social media channels for updates on potential postseason destinations for FAU men’s basketball.
