MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team (2-3, 0-1 C-USA) dropped a tough C-USA opening contest at Middle Tennessee (3-3, 1-0 C-USA) Friday night, 84-65. The Owls led 37-34 at the half, but were outscored 22-10 in the final quarter of play.
HOW IT WAS DECIDED
1Q
FAU took over three minutes to cash in on a field goal, but an Iggy Allen layup off a steal and a Rita Pleskevich jumper knotted the game up at 5-5 with 5:54 left in the first. MT would then go on a 4-1 run, but Sofia Galeron helped elevate the Owls back on top with a 3-pointer to make for an 11-9 lead. The Lady Raiders finished the quarter on a 6-2 run, as the Owls trailed, 17-13.
2Q
The Owls had themselves a 7-0 run to open up the second quarter. Allen would initiate that halftime lead, cashing in on three straight FAU possessions, as the Owls were ahead 24-20 with 7:04 left in the first half. MT stole the Owls’ lead off a layup with under three minutes left in the half, but 3-pointers sunk by Allen and Sofia Galeron on back-to-back possessions put FAU back on top by five points. The Lady Raiders crept within one point with a minute left, but Janeta Rozentale sunk a jumper to help the Owls hang on the lead, 37-34.
3Q
The Lady Raiders opened up the second half on a 10-0 run. FAU did not score a field goal until 4:58 left in the quarter, courtesy of a layup by Pleskevich, but the Owls quickly picked it up with Alexa Zaph sinking a 3-pointer with under three minutes to play. Allie Tylka then helped the Owls inch within one point off the Owls’ eighth 3-pointer of the night, as the Owls trailed 53-52. MT would then close out the quarter on a 9-3 run and the Owls’ trailed, 62-55.
4Q
The Owls had a tough outing in the fourth quarter, being outscored 22-10 while shooting 21.1 percent from the field. FAU dropped the C-USA opening contest, 84-65.
GAME NOTES
- Allen earned her first career double-double, matching a career-high 24 points, while setting a new career-high 17 boards
- Zaph was just short of double digits with nine points and two assists
- Rozentale ended the night with seven points and nine rebounds
- Pleskevich logged seven points and a career-high four steals
- Tylka registered seven points, four rebounds and three steals
- Galeron set a career-high six assists, while adding six points
UP NEXT
FAU will look to bounce back in the series closer against the Lady Raiders tomorrow at 3 p.m. (EST). The Owls’ first home C-USA opening series will take place on Friday Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. against Old Dominion. Tickets may be purchased here. All tickets for home games will be delivered digitally on individual mobile devices. Season tickets may be purchased through the ticket office by calling 1-800-FAU-OWLS (866-328-6957) or emailing tickets@fau.edu.
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