BOCA RATON – Going into their second AAC (American Athletic Conference) home game of the season, the FAU Owls men’s basketball team had a mission in mind.
They wanted to be a cohesive unit by executing well on both offense and defense. They wanted their level of communication and focus to be at a high level en route to first place in the AAC.
They achieved their goal with ease on Thursday night (Jan. 15) in an 85-67 blowout win at home over Wichita State.
With the victory, FAU (4-1 AAC; 12-6 overall) is now in sole possession of first in AAC play. It broke a five-way tie for first in the conference with Tulane (3-1 AAC; 12-5 overall), South Florida (3-1 AAC; 11-6 overall), Temple (3-1 AAC; 11-6 overall) and Memphis (3-1 AAC; 8-8 overall). Meanwhile, Wichita State (2-3 AAC; 10-8 overall) is tied for ninth in conference play with Rice (2-3 AAC; 8-10 overall).
The tone was set very early on as FAU began the game with a block each by Devin Williams and Isaiah Elohim, followed by defensive rebounds from Xander Pintelon and Williams. This sequence preceded an 18-foot jumper made by Kanaan Carlyle to give the Owls a 2-0 lead over the Shockers.
FAU never trailed in this one as they would go on to eventually take its first double digit lead by way of an open alley-oop from Carlyle to Josiah Parker, who gave his team a 22-11 lead at the 8:20 mark of the first half.
FAU did not look back from that point on as its lead was not lower than seven points over Wichita State. Additionally, FAU as a whole made more than 50 percent of its shots in both halves – good for a 55.9 field goal percentage clip. On the defensive side of the ball, FAU held Wichita State to just 39.7% of its shots.
“We were as good on offense and defense as we can be,” FAU head coach John Jakus said in a postgame press conference with media members. “I just feel like at this point, we need to stay in our process. We’re pleased with where we are. But I feel like we have better basketball ahead of us.”
Williams had a night to remember as he recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while adding 3 blocks in the process. It is the first time he achieved this feat in his career.
“My teammates do a really good job of not fouling when a guard gets down there,” Williams said. “It allows me to go clean it up and get whatever it goes. I think it’s a team chemistry thing. Shout out to them honestly.”
Meanwhile, Elohim’s 18 points were a career high as he made seven of his eight attempted shots in the game. He added two assists, a rebound, and a block.
“My teammates were definitely setting me up for double screens to getting me open gaps for me to drive and make plays,” Elohim said. “My team believes in me to score, facilitate, or do anything they need me to do. I think they put great confidence in me to keep attacking, even if I make mistakes.”
As for Carlyle, he ended up tying Elohim with a game-high 18 points on 50 percent shooting (7-for-14). He added three assists, two rebounds and a steal.
Pintelon was another standout performer as he scored nine of his 11 points off three-pointers. He had a career-high four blocks on the night while adding three rebounds and a steal.
Overall, it was a cohesive effort by the Owls, who will play next on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Temple. As for Wichita State, their next game is on Sunday, Jan. 18 at South Florida.