Thursday night’s basketball showdown on ESPN2 saw the FAU Owls outshine the SMU Mustangs, 80-70, in the “Sandstorm Battle” at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
The Mustangs trotted in with a six-game winning streak hotter than Texan chili, while FAU aimed to recover from their recent tumble out of the AP top 25.
FAU clinched the win thanks to their trusty duo with Vladislav Goldin leading the charge with 21 points and an efficient 6-of-10 from the field. Coach Dusty May couldn’t help but praise Goldin’s “disgustingly good hands and touch” for a player of his stature. Goldin’s defensive prowess and offensive finesse were pivotal in securing the victory. The Owls carried a four point lead (41-37) into the half.
Meanwhile, Alijah Martin made sure his presence was felt with a thunderous 20 points, including a dunk midway through the first half. This was certainly a dunk of the year candidate and nastier than orange juice and toothpaste. Martin, crediting teammate Johnell Davis for the assist, expressed his determination to play “above the rim”, leaving fans in awe of his aerial exploits. FAU dominated in the paint with high energy. Eventually, they earned the 80-70 victory.
As for SMU, who is 38th in the National NET rankings, they’ll be eager to bounce back after their defeat in Boca Raton in order to regain their winning momentum as March Madness looms closer. The Mustangs continued to hang around throughout the second half, but never truly found themselves within striking distance. Chuck Harris and Zhuric Phelps did all they could, combining for 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to take down the Owls in front of yet another sellout for the FAU faithful.
Looking ahead, FAU sets their sights on the first of two showdowns with Memphis, but Martin remains “even-keeled”, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded amidst the hype. With players like Martin and Goldin leading the charge, FAU looks primed for success on the court.