BOCA RATON, Fla.- Behind Johnell Davis’s 28 points and a game-winning shot, No. 22 FAU was able to rally and hold off North Texas 66-63 on Sunday afternoon.
North Texas came into the game riding high, only having one loss this month. FAU entered the contest winners of five straight. As they have all year, FAU’s home crowd showed out on Sunday afternoon.
From the jump, the intensity on defense was prominent. Through the first eight minutes of the game, both teams were only able to muster 21 points total. Johnell Davis was spectacular in the first half. He scored eight points on 4-7 shooting and 3-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Guard Jason Edwards for North Texas was also fantastic as he scored 11 points on 5-10 shooting along with three rebounds. FAU struggled from the free throw line early, going 1-5 from the stripe. They were also held to 36% from the field.
North Texas got busy to open the second half. Jason Edwards opened with a three pointer and Guard CJ Noland hit a mid range jumper on the very next possession. FAU would respond immediately with a three point bucket by Nick Boyd. With 12:39 to go, FAU was able to tie the game with a Brandon Weatherspoon layup to make it 40-40. At this point in the game, neither team led by more than six points. Johnell Davis would continue to be the go-to guy for FAU in the second half. He finished the game with 28 points and added eight rebounds.
Vlad Goldin made two clutch free throws with 1:51 remaining to once again tie the game at 61. He was also very effective in the second half, scoring double digits to help the Owls keep the game close. Davis closed out the game with a clutch three pointer to give FAU a 66-63 lead with 0.4 remaining.
WHAT A SHOT BY DAVIS TO PUT THE OWLS UP 66-63 WITH 0.4 REMAINING! pic.twitter.com/NOMNuytu4S
— FL Teams (@FLTeams) January 28, 2024
“We’re very comfortable, at the end of the day we know what to do and we dogs,” Johnell Davis said after the game on late close game situations.
FAU has now won six straight games. The Owls look to keep their momentum going in their next matchup against Tulsa on Feb. 3 at home.
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