| 11/4/2024 | Men’s Basketball | Box Score XENIA, Ohio – The Florida Atlantic men’s basketball team kicked off their 2024-25 season with a 97-63 victory over Indiana State on Monday evening at the Wooden Family Fieldhouse as part of the Athletes in Action’s Total Athlete Tip-Off. In his official head coaching debut, John Jakus achieved the first win of his career with his effective formula on display: a fast-paced offense with a balance of size and speed that can attack a defense from anywhere on the court. Six Owls scored in double figures, led by redshirt sophomore guard Niccolo Moretti with 19 points and supplemented by the team’s entire starting lineup on a night that saw the team shoot 55.7% from the field. On defense, Florida Atlantic swarmed to the ball to hold the Sycamores to 32.8% shooting and forcing 21 turnovers, turning 15 of them into steals. FIRST HALF Graduate guard KyKy Tandy registered the team’s first points of the season with a triple from the left corner. The two teams traded baskets early on, but FAU soon found rhythm on both sides of the ball to spark a 28-3 run and ultimately a 53-28 halftime advantage. Moretti came off the bench to score 14 points on five-for-six shooting in the opening period with several finesse moves to the basket, including a buzzer-beating reverse layup to close the half. The Owls saw plays made by their entire rotation, from a soaring slam dunk from sophomore forward Kaleb Glenn to a big-time block by redshirt senior guard Ken Evans Jr. SECOND HALF The highlights continued with junior Baba Miller opening the second half with a two-handed slam dunk off his own steal. The 7-1 forward also showcased his outside shooting with two three-pointers.As the lead grew to as much as 40, the Owls did not let their foot off the brakes. Redshirt junior forward Tre Carroll worked his way inside for eight points and six rebounds to lead a balanced half with nine different scorers. QUOTABLE Head Coach John Jakus “The most important thing for me today is the players and Athletes in Action, and what AIA has meant to me in my life. These guys have gone on the road for five days to make this possible and they knew what tonight meant to me, more an importantly an opportunity for me to come here and talk about my faith…Doing this together meant the world.” Redshirt Sophomore Guard Niccolo Moretti “It was definitely a lot to do with my coaching staff and teammates to give me the confidence to go out there and do good.” Junior Forward Baba Miller “My focus is just to go out there and try to help the team win. If that means getting rebounds or making open shots, I’m going to do it. Today, I made all of them. It might happen again next game or it might not, but I got open shots thanks to my teammates and the good passes they gave me.” STATS & NOTES Moretti finished with an all-around statline of 19 points (seven-for-nine FG), five rebounds, and four assist The Owls’ frontcourt of Miller and freshman center Matas Vokietaitis combined for 23 points on a perfect eight-for-eight from the field. Miller also had a game-high nine reboundsFlorida Atlantic outscored Indiana State in the paint by a 42-14 margin and held a 24-5 advantage in fastbreak pointsEvans Jr. and junior guard Leland Walker each had five assists to lead the teamFive players recorded multiple steals. Miller led the way with four, followed by Evans Jr. and Walker with three, and Glenn and Carroll recording two apiece In total, the Owls’ bench was responsible for 40 points UP NEXT Fans will be able to pack the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on Friday, Nov. 8 in the Owls’ home opener against Coastal Georgia. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and air on ESPN+. A limited allotment of unused tickets by the visiting team can be purchased by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visiting Ticketmaster. Tickets are $100 in the lower bowl and $50 in the upper arena. FOLLOW THE OWLS To stay up to date on all things FAU men’s basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB. Florida Atlantic’s 2024-25 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura. |
