BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team (5-23, 1-16 in Conference USA) was unable to pull out the Senior Day win, falling 73-55 to FIU (13-15, 5-12 in C-USA). Seniors Bre Beck and Rita Pleskevich were honored before tipoff, as both played in their final home game at Abessinio Court at FAU Arena. Janeta Rozentale led the Owls with a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards.
HOW IT WAS DECIDED
1Q
Both teams took some time to get rolling offensively. Amber Gaston delivered the first two baskets for FAU, but FIU responded on a 5-0 run to lead the Owls, 5-4, with 6:20 left in the first quarter. FAU had five turnovers early, but had the 6-5 advantage at the media timeout. FAU was in a drought from the field for over three minutes, but a Pleskevich jumper dug the Owls out of the hole. FIU had troubles shooting the ball in the first quarter, being held to 20%, which FIU tallied eight turnovers in the first quarter. The game was tied at 10 all after the first 10 minutes of play.
2Q
FIU went back ahead with a 3-point play, but Rozentale answered by burying a 3-pointer. The Panthers scored on their next four possessions, while FAU fell 0-for-6 the field. FAU trailed 21-13 with 5:20 remaining in the first half. FIU extended its lead to 12 points courtesy of a 12-0 run. Beck helped the Owls get out of a long drought with a 3-pointer, but FIU responded with back-to-back baskets. Freshman Simona Henshaw scored two consecutive layups to get the Owls within nine points with under two left in the quarter, but FIU responded once again with a triple. FIU took its largest lead of the first half of 14, as FAU trailed 34-20.
3Q
FAU put on a show from beyond the arc, making 5-for-9 from beyond the arc in the third quarter. To open up the frame, the Owls hit back-to-back-to-back triples courtesy of two from Sofia Galeron and one from Pleskevich. FIU continued to respond, tallying a 3-pointer, as the Owls trailed 41-31 with over six minutes left in the third. Both teams opened up the quarter making 5-of-5 field goals, but as FAU began to be quieted from the field, FIU continued to roll, cruising on a 7-0 run. Gaston helped the Owls get out of their three-minute drought with a putback basket, but the Owls still trailed by 13 points, 54-41, going into the fourth and final quarter.
4Q
The Panthers captured an 18-point lead, their largest of the game off a 3-pointer and a layup. A 7-0 run courtesy of a Rozentale 3-point play, two free throws and a hard-fought layup by the Latvian put her up to double digits, but the Owls trailed by 11 with 7:12 remaining in the game. That was the closest FAU would get to the Panthers, as FIU sealed the victory following a 14-6 run for the remainder of the contest. FAU fell, 73-55.
GAME NOTES
- Rozentale led the Owls with her fifth double-double of the season after capturing 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting with 11 boards. Thirteen of her 18 points came in the second half
- Galeron shot 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, nailing all three of her triples in the third quarter. She finished the night with nine points and four assists
- Pleskevich delivered nine points
- On her Senior Day, Bre Beck drew her first career start, tallying three points, five boards and three dimes
- Gaston finished just shy of double digits with eight points
- The team registered seven 3-pointers
- FAU had the +3 rebounding margin
SULLIVAN’S STATEMENTS
Opening statement:
“First of all, I want to give thanks to Bre [Beck] and Rita [Pleskevich]. It’s tough losing on Senior Day,” said Jennifer Sullivan. “I want to applaud all they have given to this program and to this team. Obviously not the result we wanted, but at least we get to play this team again. I think the biggest thing is defense and getting stops. We need to be better defensively… So we will just regroup and go on to the next one.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s game:
“We have a pretty decent idea of who they are. It’s one thing to watch them on film, but then it’s another thing to see it.”
What she has learned from her first season:
“I love the heart and fight of this team. I really do. Right now, it’s a real challenge because we are dealing with a lot of injuries, kids coming in and out of the rotation… Obviously we will look at a lot of things during the offseason, but I love the heart and soul of this team. I love that they never quit and I would love to carry that on going to next season.”
UP NEXT
The Owls will close out the regular season on Saturday at FIU for a noon tipoff. The official C-USA Championship bracket will be announced on Saturday evening following the conclusion of all regular season league games.
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