12/14/2024 | Men’s Basketball | Box Score
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic men’s basketball team took down Texas State in their final home game of 2024, defeating the Bobcats by a score of 89-80 on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, the Owls (7-5) now own a season-high three game winning streak after beating a formidable 7-4 Bobcats team. For the sixth time this season, five FAU players scored 10+ points, led by redshirt junior forward and reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Week Tre Carroll with 18 on 7-for-9 shooting.
FIRST HALF
A free throw and a two-handed dunk by freshman center Matas Vokietaitis opened scoring in a back-and-forth first half saw neither team take more than five-point lead. The Owls leaned on their frontcourt trio of Vokietaitis, Carroll, and junior forward Baba Miller combining for 28 points.
Florida Atlantic took a three-point lead at halftime, thanks to a triple from graduate guard KyKy Tandy, entering the locker room up 43-40.
SECOND HALF
The Owls came out of the break swinging on defense. Miller blocked the ball twice on one possession leading to a three-pointer on the other end. FAU forced four turnovers in the first four minutes to build a six-point lead.
FAU’s advantage grew to a game-high nine after Tandy found Carroll inside for the score on two straight possessions. Florida Atlantic converted their final seven shots from the field to lead the second half wire-to-wire.
GALLERY
Gallery: (12-14-2024) MBB vs. Texas State
PRESS CONFERENCES
STATS & NOTES
- The Owls’ top five scorers shot a combined 67% from the field (24-for-36)
- For the first time in his collegiate career, Carroll has scored double figures in three consecutive games
- Miller has logged seven blocks in the last two games
- Junior forward Kaleb Glenn nabbed a career-high four steals
- 13 of redshirt sophomore guard Niccolo Moretti’s 15 points came in the second half
- With 23 on the afternoon, the Owls have dished out 20+ assists in three out of the last four games. Tandy led the way with a career-high-tying seven
- Florida Atlantic outscored the Bobcats 18-4 on fastbreak points
UP NEXT
The Owls will play their final game before the new year in a visit to Michigan State on Saturday, Dec. 21. The matchup will air on Fox Sports 1 and tip off at 2 p.m.
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.
