The Owls fought back in the second half, but dropped Friday's contest at Bethune Cookman 71-61.

FAU (1-1) trailed 45-36 at the break before cutting the Wildcats (2-1) lead to just a point at 52-51 with just under six minutes remaining.

But Bethune would pull away down the stretch with some easy lay ins and solid free throw shooting.

Latavia Dempsey had 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds for FAU, and Chenise Miller and Takia Brooks each added 13 as well.

Th team returns to the floor for their home opener against Jacksonville on Sunday at 2:00 PM.

Five players saw double figures for the Owls on Sunday in a 96-79 win over northern state foe Jacksonville (1-2), from the A-Sun conference.

Guard Morgan Robinson led all scorers with 17 points, but the biggest contributor was FAU's bench, who outpaced the Dolphins' 61-24.

"I was pleased with how the players responded after Friday night’s disappointing loss,” said Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay.

It was a relatively close contest at the break, with the Owls on top 42-37, but Florida Atlantic (2-1) rattled off a 17 point run to out the game out reach midway through the second.

FAU posted a season best seven turnovers, and 16 assists, in the win.

The Owls will return to the floor November 23rd at 7:00 PM against Miami in the Hurricanes Thanksgiving Classic.

FAU guard Takia Brooks matched a career high performance with 18 points, but it was not enough as the Owls (2-2) lost to host Miami 76-61 on Friday night in the Hurricanes Thanksgiving Classic.

"Unfortunately, our shots just did not fall", said Coach  Kellie Lewis-Jay. "We got good looks and they are shots that will go down later in the season."

Florida Atlantic nearly erased an 11 point first half deficit courtesy of Shanequa Schrouder's lay-up which saw the Owls down just one point at 30-29 with 4:15 remaining in the period.

However, the Hurricanes (3-1) would turn on the offense afterwards, pulling away for a game high lead at 58-36 midway through the second frame courtesy of a 28-7 run.

Latavia Dempsey also pitched in a double-digit offensive performance with 12 points.

The Owls lost the battle off the glass 50-32, and committed 28 turnovers for the contest.

FAU will face Southern Illinois tomorrow at 5:00 PM in the consolation game.

The Owls completed the Miami Thanksgiving Classic with a split following an 85-81 win over Southern Illinois 85-81 on Saturday…Game story via FAU Women's Basketball SID Dale Long:

Two double-double performances led a high-scoring attack that allowed the Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team to defeat Southern Illinois University 85-81 on Saturday in the consolation game of the Miami Thanksgiving Classic at the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center.

Junior forward Chenise Miller had career highs for points (28) and rebounds (14) and senior guard Breana Turner scored a season-high 19 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds, in the victory over the Missouri Valley Conference opponent. Junior guard Takia Brooks gave the Owls a third double-figure scorer with 17 points.

The first half featured nine lead changes and eight ties as the Salukis held a 47-43 lead. Southern Illinois’ Cartaesha Macklin scored 26 of her game-high 34 points in the first half.

Much of the same game action followed in the second half. Southern Illinois (0-4) moved on top 51-44 with 18:14 left in the game before FAU went on 13-0 run to take the lead. Turner scored six straight points after the game was tied at 51.

Junior forward Shanequa Schrouder gave the Owls a 61-56 lead with 13:30 left. However, Southern Illinois responded with four straight points to cut the deficit to 61-60 after a layup by Mercedes Griffin with 12:51 remaining.

FAU would hold a 73-66 lead at the 7:17 mark before a 7-0 Saluki run tied the game for the 10th time. The game would be evened with 4:17 left, following a 3-point field goal by SIU’s Rishonda Napier, and at 76 before Owls had the game’s final run in the final three minutes.

Turner and Miller capped consecutive offensive possessions with layups to build an 80-76 cushion. Brooks made a floating six-foot jumper with 36 seconds left to give FAU an 82-78 lead. Then, Miller and Brooks made free throws in the closing seconds to secure the victory.

“Those three kids (Brooks, Miller and Turner) hit some key shots late in the game,” said Kellie Lewis-Jay, FAU’s head women’s basketball coach. “I really thought that a major factor in us executing late in the game was the fact we were able to wear (SIU) down. It is tough to play us for 40 minutes. It worked toward our advantage today.”

FAU shot 43 percent from the floor and made 23 of its 32 free throws. The team forced the Salukis into 19 turnovers.

The Owls improved to 3-2 on the season and open Sun Belt Conference play on Wednesday, November 28 against the University of South Alabama, starting at 7 p.m. in the FAU Arena.

Wednesday's Game Capsule:

Who: South Alabama (5-1) at Florida Atlantic (3-2)
When: Wednesday, November 28 at 7 p.m.
Where: FAU Arena, 777 Glades Road on the Boca Raton campus

Series History: South Alabama leads 9-5
Last Meeting: Florida Atlantic 41-40 on Feb. 22, 2012 in Boca Raton

Probable Starters

South Alabama

G  #33  Mansa El                    5-9    Sr.    9.0 ppg    1.7 rpg
G  #1    Meghan Dunn              5-7    Jr.      8.8 ppg    3.0 rpg
G  #23  Mary Nixon                  5-11  Sr.    19.3 ppg    5.0 rpg
F  #10  Ronneka Robertson      6-0    Jr      3.8 ppg    6.3 rpg
C  #15  Veronica Cherizol        6-2    Sr.    4.7 ppg    6.5 rpg

Florida Atlantic

G  #22  Takia Brooks                5-7    Jr.      13.4 ppg    4.2 rpg
G  #4    Briah Blakely                5-8    Jr.      2.8 ppg    1.4 rpg
G  #10  Kimberly Smith            5-7    Jr.      5.4 ppg    6.2 rpg
F  #24  Shanequa Schrouder    5-11  Jr.      5.8 ppg    2.6 rpg
F  #25  Chenise Miller              6-0  R-Jr.  14.0 ppg    5.6 rpg

Live audio and statistics of the game is available at www.fausports.com.

The Owls knock off South Alabama 67-56 to open Sun Belt play…Game story via FAU Women's Basketball SID Dale Long:

The Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team shot 63 percent in the second half to pick up a 67-56 come-from-behind triumph over the University of South Alabama on Wednesday at the FAU Arena. The Owls won their Sun Belt Conference opener for the second straight season.

FAU (4-2, 1-0 SBC) trailed 29-22 at the half after committing 17 turnovers in the period. Things were reversed in the second half, with an 11-0 run paving the way for the victory.

“I am extremely happy the players responded in the way they did after halftime,” said Kellie Lewis-Jay, FAU’s head women’s basketball coach. “Briah Blakely was fun to watch in the first five minutes of the second half.”

The Owls quickly cut the South Alabama lead to one point, 29-28, after six scoring straight points. A steal and layup by Blakely capped the run with 17:32 left in the game.

A few minutes later and with the Jaguars leading 35-34, Florida Atlantic used an 11-0 run over the next five minutes to take a 45-35 lead. It was a team effort as junior guard Kimberly Smith gave FAU a 39-35 advantage after a 3-point field goal with 12:54 remaining. Smith and Blakely would connect on jumpers on consecutive offensive possessions to build the lead to eight points, 43-35. Finally, junior forward Shanequa Schrouder capped the run with a baseline jumper.

FAU’s lead would grow to 16 points, 57-41, after a layup from junior forward Chenise Miller with 7:38 left.
South Alabama (5-2; 0-1 SBC) answered with six straight points, capped by a free throw from Brianna Wright. However, the host never saw the lead get into single digits as Smith drained her third 3-pointer of the game to give FAU a 65-48 lead at the 1:45 mark.

Smith scored a season-high 19 points to pace three FAU double-figure scorers. Junior guard Takia Brooks added 12 points, while Blakely chipped in a career-high 11 points.

“It is really nice to see Kim rewarded for all of her hard work (in practice),” said Lewis-Jay.
FAU shot 52 percent for the game.

The Owls will return to the court on Saturday, December 1 at noon against Arkansas State University in another SBC game. Live audio and statistics are available at www.fausports.com.

Saturday's game capsule:

Who: Arkansas State (1-5, 1-0 Sun Belt) at Florida Atlantic (4-2, 1-0 Sun Belt)
When: Saturday, December 1 at noon
Where: FAU Arena, 777 Glades Road on the Boca Raton campus

Series History: Arkansas State leads 6-4
Last Meeting: Florida Atlantic 57-44 on Dec. 29, 2011 in Jonesboro, Ark.

Probable Starters

Arkansas State

G  #12  Ashley Olvera                5-8  Sr.            9.2 ppg  3.0 rpg
G  #13  Quinishia McDowell        5-8  R-Sr.          5.2 ppg  2.0 rpg
G  #40  Andi Watson                5-8  Sr.              2.0 ppg  1.2 rpg
F  #44  Carlisha Wyatt              6-0  Jr.              8.3 ppg  5.5 rpg
F  #11  Jane Morrill                  6-1  Jr.            14.0 ppg  7.0 rpg

Florida Atlantic

G  #22  Takia Brooks                5-7    Jr.          13.2 ppg    4.2 rpg
G  #4    Briah Blakely                5-8    Jr.            4.2 ppg    1.5 rpg
G  #10  Kimberly Smith            5-7    Jr.            7.7 ppg    5.8 rpg
F  #24  Shanequa Schrouder    5-11    Jr.            5.2 ppg    3.2 rpg
F  #25  Chenise Miller              6-0      R-Jr.        12.7 ppg    5.2 rpg

Live audio and statistics of the game are available at www.fausports.com.

FAU wins their second straight behind Chenise Miller's career high 29 points…Game story via FAU Women's Basketball SID Dale Long:

Two 20-point performances helped the Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball team to a 79-71 home victory over Arkansas State University on Saturday at the FAU Arena. The Owls improve to 2-0 in Sun Belt Conference action and posted their third straight win.

“We have started conference well with two victories,” said Kellie Lewis-Jay, FAU’s head women’s basketball coach. “Winning at home was one of our preseason goals. We did a good job of securing the home court this week.”

Junior forward Chenise Miller, a preseason all-SBC selection, scored a career-high 29 points (on 13-of-18 shooting), while senior guard Breana Turner chipped in a season-best 22 points off the bench.

“I told Chenise after the last game (playing only 11 minutes Wednesday in a victory over South Alabama) to come ready to play early today. I like seeing her statistics line today,” said Lewis-Jay. Besides the team-high 29 points, Miller had eight rebounds and two blocked shots.
FAU (5-2, 2-0 Sun Belt) got off to a quick start, grabbing a 14-9 lead at the 16:06 mark with 11 points coming from Miller. However, the visitors responded with an 8-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 17-14 lead.

The first half featured six ties and five lead changes as Arkansas State (1-6, 1-1 Sun Belt) took a 35-32 halftime lead.

For the third straight game, Florida Atlantic dominated the second half. Junior guard Takia Brooks connected on a three-point field to tie the game at 37 with 18:42 remaining. The score would be tied four more times before a Miller layup at the 14:23 mark gave FAU a 47-45 lead.

Later, junior guard Briah Blakely made a 3-pointer with 12:21 left for a four-point lead, 52-48. That advantage would stretch to 59-52 midway through the second half following another Miller layup.

Turner scored 16 of her 22 points in the second half and drained a 3-pointer at the 4:45 mark to give the host a 72-66 lead. She made two free throws on the next offensive possessions to help FAU gain a commanding eight-point advantage.

Brooks rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points and a game-high seven assists. Blakely added eight points in the victory.
FAU forced 27 turnovers by the Red Wolves and had 20 assists compared to turning the ball over 10 assists. The Owls lead the SBC in committing the least amount of turnovers per game.

Arkansas State was led by Jane Morrill’s 17 points and shot 55 percent in the game.

FAU returns to the court on Friday, December 7 at 8 p.m. against Mississippi State

The Owls dropped a heart breaker on Friday night in Starkville, losing 59-58 to SEC opponent Mississippi State.

It was a true David vs. Goliath match-up.

Due to the Owls' speed, the Bulldogs (4-5) committed a staggering 35 turnovers on the night.

But they were able to make up for that performance behind their size, which prompted a 50-33 edge off the backboard, and 13 blocked shots.

MSU also shot a robust a 50.0% to that of 29.3% for Florida Atlantic (5-3), leaving Head Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay calling for better accuracy with the slingshot.

"We played hard. We have to do a better job of knocking down some more shots", said Lewis-Jay.

FAU guard Takia Brooks was 9-of-14 from the floor, with 27 points in the loss.

Florida Atlantic returns to the floor on December 10 at 8:00 PM against the University of Wisconsin.

Great effort !