| 11/15/2024 | Men’s Basketball | Box Score CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Florida Atlantic men’s basketball team participated in a double overtime thriller for the ages but fell to Charleston on a last-second buzzer beater, 119-116. Playing in the first game of the 2024 edition of the Field of 68 Tip-Off, the Owls (2-2) put forth one of the greatest scoring performances in program history. Their 116 points is the second most recorded by the team in a single game, while 235 points between both teams goes down as the highest combined score in an FAU game. As what has now been the case in all four outings in the 2024-25 campaign, at least five players scored in double figures, this time six. Forward Kaleb Glenn came off the bench to score 27 points on 10-for-14 shooting. FIRST HALF For the third time in four games, Florida Atlantic’s opening bucket came from beyond the arc, this time from redshirt senior guard Ken Evans Jr. It was another strong start on offense with the Owls converting eight of their first nine shots. While the Owls jumped out to an early 10-point lead, the Cougars responded with one of their own. Trailing by double digits with just over two minutes left in the first half, Florida Atlantic went on a 10-2 run to close the gap to a 49-47 halftime score, culminating with redshirt junior forward Tre Carroll hustling to the hoop off a rebound for the buzzer beating layup. FAU missed just nine field goal attempts in the first half, going 18-for-27 from the field and six-for-nine from three-point range. SECOND HALF The Cougars rebuilt their lead, holding a 12-point advantage with five minutes remaining. But there was no quit for FAU. The Owls leaned on Glenn, their season’s leading scorer, to spark a comeback that began with a posterizing dunk and was quickly followed by four more points from the sophomore. Clutch free throw shooting from redshirt sophomore guard Niccolo Moretti ultimately tied the game, making five of six in the final minute of regulation to end the period with a 97-97 score. OVERTIMES Evans Jr. stood out for Florida Atlantic in the initial extra five minutes, recording the team’s first bucket on a driving layup and then tying the game at 105 on a three-pointer from the right corner with 30 seconds to go. The Owls were able to make the stop on defense to force double overtime. The second OT began with yet another highlight dunk from Glenn, this time on an alley-oop pass from Moretti. He showcased his strength with two more buckets inside to build a 114-110 lead. Charleston scored six straight points to go up by two, but a missed free throw kept the game within striking distance for the Owls. Moretti drove across the court and laid the ball in to tie the game at 116 with three seconds remaining, before a deep heave three-point attempt by the Cougars sunk in the basket as the final horn went off. POSTGAME PRESSER STATS & NOTES Three players recorded their Owl career highs: Glenn (27), junior forward Baba Miller (15), and graduate guard KyKy Tandy (15) Miller became the first FAU player of the season to record a double-double, leading the team with 12 rebounds. He also dished out six assists Evans Jr. finished with 17 points with five of his six field goals coming from downtown Moretti had a game-high eight assists in addition to his 17 points Florida Atlantic continues to boast one of the highest scoring bench teams in the nation, recording 60 points The Owls shot 55.3% from the field and 55.2% from beyond the arc, converting 16 of their 29 tries UP NEXT The Owls have a quick turnaround to close out their time in the Field of 68 Tip-Off with a matchup against Liberty (3-0) on Saturday. The game can be viewed on the Field of 68 After Dark YouTube channel beginning at 6 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. |
