BOCA RATON – FAU aimed for efficiency and cohesiveness against Charlotte on Monday night (Feb. 10).
The Owls achieved it by shooting 54.8 percent from the field in their 87-75 home win over the 49ers.
Four players scored in double figures, including guard Kaleb Glenn (team-high 18 points), guard KyKy Tandy (17 points), forward Baba Miller (14 points), and forward Tre Carroll (13 points).
FAU head coach John Jakus spoke with media members shortly after the final buzzer to discuss his team’s successful outing.
“I’m thrilled with tonight,” Jakus said. “At least offensively, our shots carried us. Seven threes in the first and two in the second half, I thought that was a huge difference.”
From the three-point line, FAU (14-10, 7-4 AAC) made 48 percent of its shots, going 12 of 25 in the process. Tandy scored 15 of his 17 points from long range, as he converted on 62.5 percent of his three-pointers (5-for-8). Meanwhile, Miller also scored the majority of his points on threes, as he converted on 75 percent of his long range shots (3-for-4).
Both Glenn and Carroll were 1-for-2 from three-point range at 50 percent success rates.
“At their core, they are good shooters,” Jakus said. “We definitely tell them that. When we were struggling a little bit, we could have slowed down the pace and controlled it. Instead, we did the opposite and gave them more freedom. I think the assistants have done a great job in player development, film, and instilling confidence…I’m thankful for it.”
FAU led for most of this one, with its lead being as much as 19 in the second half over Charlotte (9-16, 2-10 AAC). The home team scored 40 points in the paint, 18 points off turnovers, and 10 points off second chance opportunities.
As far as the defense was concerned, FAU garnered nine steals and four blocks, while forcing Charlotte to commit 16 turnovers.
The first half saw seven lead changes and six ties, with the largest lead coming from FAU with a 10-point margin near the end of the first half.
“In the first half, we chose pace,” Jakus said. “I thought we would wear them down.”
The Owls went into halftime with a 46-37 lead over the 49ers. From that point on, they did not look back as they secured their four-game winning streak in the process.
The next game for FAU is on Sunday, Feb. 16 at Temple for a 12 p.m. tip-off. The Owls have seven games left in the regular season.
GAME NOTE: FAU welcomed back Charlotte graduate forward and West Palm Beach native Giancarlo Rosado, who played his first four collegiate seasons in Paradise. Rosado was held to four points in this one.
FAU LEGENDS FOR LIFE
Tre Carroll x Giancarlo Rosado #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/aEWBINLI61
— FL Teams (@FLTeams) February 11, 2025