11/24/2024 | Men’s Basketball | Box Score
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Florida Atlantic men’s basketball team staged a second half comeback that fell just short at the buzzer, losing to Seton Hall by a score of 63-61 for the final day of the 2024 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic on Sunday.
With the loss, the Owls even their record at 4-4 on the season and officially finish the tournament in fourth place.
FIRST HALF
The Owls took an early 7-3 lead after graduate guard KyKy Tandy opened up scoring with a three-pointer.
Later in the half, the offense leaned on freshman center Matas Vokietaitis, scoring five straight points for the team. FAU entered the locker room trailing 34-22.
SECOND HALF
Seton Hall built a 15-point lead, but by working their way inside the paint, the Owls shrunk the deficit to nine early in the half with a 6-0 run.
Offense came alive for Florida Atlantic in the final stretch. Sophomore forward Kaleb Glenn muscled inside for a score plus the foul, followed by a two-handed slam dunk on a lob pass from redshirt senior guard Ken Evans Jr.
A now-signature deep Tandy three cut the lead to one with 24 seconds to go. A foul on the other end saw Seton Hall go 1-for-2 from the line and the ball in the Owls’ hands for the final possession. A three-point attempt ultimately rimmed out at the buzzer to give the Pirates the victory.
PRESS CONFERENCE
STATS & NOTES
- Junior guard Leland Walker led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game, tallying 16 points
- Vokietaitis had 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting and led the team with nine rebounds
- Junior forward Baba Miller flirted with a double-double, scoring eight points and nabbing seven boards
- Evans Jr. recorded his fifth multi-steal game of the year
- The Owls outscored the Pirates in the paint 34-22
- Florida Atlantic went 15-for-18 from the free throw line for 83%, their best mark of the season
UP NEXT
The Owls return to Boca Raton and the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, where they own a 33-1 record since March of 2022, for a matchup against Florida Gulf Coast (2-5) on Saturday, Nov. 30. The game will tip-off at 6 p.m. and air on ESPN+.
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.
