GAME THREAD: UTEP @ FAU - January 4, 2020
What: UTEP (9-5) @ Florida Atlantic (9-5)
When: Saturday, January 4th, @ 4:00 PM Eastern
Where: Abessinio Court at Roofclaim.com Arena
Series: The Miners own a 5-3 all-time lead over the Owls, including an undefeated 3-0 record in Boca Raton.
TV: None
Stream: ESPN+ *Fee
Radio: FoxSports 640
Live Stats: Here
UTEP Team Site: Here
UTEP at a Glance:
Offense - 68.9 PPG, 45% FG, 32% 3PT
Defense - 63.6 PPGA, 45% FGA, 30% 3PTA
Rebounding - 34.6 RPG Miners, 34.3 RPG Opponents
Notables
The Miners limp into Boca Raton having lost four of their last five. Their recent poor form is surprising considering UTEP opened the 2019-2020 campaign having won 8 of their first 9 games. Most recently, the Miners feel 69-67 to FIU in Miami.
Head Coach Rodney Terry did not coach in the loss to FIU due to a severe allergic reaction. He was rushed to the hospital Wednesday upon the Miner's arrival to Miami. Although Terry was released Friday afternoon, he is not expected to coach his team against the Owls. Former Texas Longhorn star, and current UTEP Assistant Coach, Kenton Paulino has been named interim head coach until Terry's expected return to the sidelines next week.
The Miners are led by talented F Bryson Williams, who is averaging a C-USA second best 19 PPG. The UTEP offense also features a talented backcourt duo of guards in Souley Boum (11 PPG) and Daryl Edwards (10 PPG).
As a team, UTEP is tenth and fourth in C-USA for scoring offense and scoring defense, respectively.
FAU at a Glance:
Offense - 72.6 PPG, 44% FG, 35% 3PT
Defense - 66.1 PPGA, 43% FGA, 33% 3PTA
Rebounding - 37.7 RPG Owls, 33 RPG Opponents
Notables
The Owls enter Saturday's matchup after soundly beating UTSA 79-64 in the C-USA opener for both teams. Jailyn Ingram led FAU in scoring with 15 points, as he continues to grow from his injury last season.
Head Coach Dusty May has seen great improvement to his defense in his second year in Boca Raton. This was displayed on Thursday when his Owls held the nations top scorers, UTSA's Jhivvan Jackson, to just 8 points.
Guards Scooter Taylor and Michael Forrest continue to battle as the squad's top shooter, averaging 10.8 and 10.5 PPG, respectively.
Opening Line: FAU -1
We're 15 minutes away from tipoff at The Burrow. #FAU has a great opportunity to go 2-0 in #CUSA with a struggling #UTEP side in town.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 4, 2020
Despite losing 4 of their last 5, the Miners won't be down for long. Expect a lot of fight from the 1965-66 National Championship program
#FAU's Starting Five vs. #UTEP:
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 4, 2020
G - Scooter Taylor
G - Everett Winchester
G - Richardson Maitre
F - Jailyn Ingram
C - Karlis Silins
Dusty May elects to keep the same starting lineup from Thursday's victory over #UTSA.
Time to catch this dub Owls! 👌👌
An early AND-ONE for Winny!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 4, 2020
Everett Winchester gets three points the old fashioned way after going solo to the lane for this layup.
The sophomore from Baltimore has all of #FAU's 4 points so far.#UTEP leads the Owls, 6-4 at the 15:36 mark of the first half. pic.twitter.com/86QhmStpsa
Matire for FOUR!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 4, 2020
The Montreal native gets tripped while knocking this three, and later hits one from the charity stripe for a four-point play.
This was the catalyst for an 8-0 run for FAU, allowing the Owls to take their first lead!#FAU leads #UTEP 19-15, 7:27 first half pic.twitter.com/tu1hticVKm
OwlPT15 said
Any idea what’s happened to Carrington McCaskill? He looked pretty good for a freshman early in the year but he hasn’t gotten any run since November. And I think he was the most highly touted recruit from last years recruiting class.Posted On: Jan 4th 2020, 4:31 PM #393182
McCaskill is still on the roster, just hasn't seen a lot of time on the court because Ingram's increase in minutes.
For what it's worth, McCaskill is a 100% FG shooter. It's just 4-4, but that has to mean something!
Beautiful play from Jailyn Ingram to give the Owls the largest lead of the game!#FAU leads #UTEP 24-16, 5:30 left in the first half. pic.twitter.com/ErMLfHHGgR
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 4, 2020
Uhg, another poor performance towards the end of a period allows the visitors to retake the lead.
HALFTIME. #UTEP 31 - #FAU 28.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 4, 2020
Welp. The Miners convert all of their last 5 FGs, with the Owls going 1-8 on their last FGs.
So the Owls experience another collapse towards the end of a half.
Winchester is feeling it tonight!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 4, 2020
He draws us level at 36 with 16:35 left in the second half here. pic.twitter.com/t0ZtF0RC2B
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