NEW YORK, N.Y. – The No. 11 Florida Atlantic University men’s basketball team (7-2) came up just shy against No. 20 Illinois (7-1) on Tuesday evening in the opening game of the Jimmy V. Classic at Madison Square Garden, 98-89.
It was a valiant effort for the Owls who battled the entire way and brought their way back from a double-digit deficit multiple times.
Florida Atlantic’s 2023-24 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.
FIRST HALF
For the third time this season, the Owls drew up the perfect play off the opening tip, with junior guard Johnell Davis finding his way inside for the score just five seconds into the game. Davis would end up scoring 13 in the total period to lead the way.
Florida Atlantic would force nine turnovers in a tight first half, but the Owls found themselves trailing by four.
Needing a spark plug, in came redshirt sophomore forward Tre Carroll, who scored eight quick points in the last six minutes and made plays on both ends of the floor, helping FAU enter the locker room up 42-39.
SECOND HALF
The Owls found themselves trailing by 10 points with just under six minutes to go.
Back-to-back three-point plays by junior center Vlad Goldin and junior guard Alijah Martin would bring the score within four at 84-80. Stops on defense would help bring the score to two, but the shots needed to fall came up short.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Dusty May
“Credit to Illinois, they exposed some of our weaknesses and we have to go back to our drawing board and fix some things. That is why you play these games, to learn more about yourself. We will be better because of this experience.”
Junior Center Vlad Goldin
“We lost a tough game and we have to learn from that. From losses, you learn a lot more than when you win. As coach said, they exposed some of our weaknesses and we have to learn from that.
STATS & NOTES
- Goldin’s career season continues with his first 20-point outing, finishing with a team-high 23 points in just 19 minutes of action
- Davis finished with 19 points on 7-12 shooting and a team-high nine rebounds
- Senior guard Jalen Gaffney dished out a career high seven assists
- The ball was spread around with the Owls winning the assist battle 23-10
- A 12-5 offensive rebounding advantage went to the Owls
UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will have a week off from competition before regrouping for a home game at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 13 against FIU. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men’s basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
