FAU's Grit Stifles Late Pioneer Rally Attempt

 

 

Brett Royster enjoys one of his 2008-2009 Record Setting Blocks 

 

 

FAU entered tonight's game hoping to get its second conference win, and to even the score after a 55-66 loss to Denver back on December 16th. 

 

Denver, on the other hand, was hoping to quench a 42 game road drought.  Unfortunately, they aren't the Nuggets.

 

FAU used a combination of a solid shooting, and a tremendous effort at the free throw line, to come away with its second conference win of the season 67-61 before a sparse, but vocal, crowd at FAU arena.

 

Paul Graham was on fire out of the gate for FAU connecting on all of the Owls first 14 points.  But the Pioneers were hot as well and jumped out to a 19-16 lead.  The Owls responded with a 8-0 run to pull ahead 24-19 midway through the first.

 

Denver tussled and tugged their way back in, slowing it down as expected, to tie it up at 26 a piece.  FAU ended the first half on a 14-6 run, and lead 40-32.

 

The Pioneers were determined to take the Owls out of their rhythm, and did just that initially, coming out on a 13-2 run of their own to begin the second half - employing traps, and making FAU work hard for their shots.

 

But Owls took advantage of Denver's foul trouble mid way through the second, with starters Lewis and Stafford heading to the bench, and matched their first half advantage of 10 points - surging ahead 57-47.

 

Denver made a late charge, pulling to within 5 with 19 seconds to go, but would get no closer.

 

 

That's the Stats Jack

 

Paul Graham dropped 25 points and pulled into third place on the FAU all-time scoring list with 1,397 career points.  He passes Jeff Cowens (1,388).

 

Brett Royster was stellar, and became FAU's all-time single season blocks leader with 63 on the season thus far.  He was just shy of a double double and finsihed with 13 points and 9 rebounds.  Here's what he had to say about his accomplishment:

 

 

   

Game Scoring Recap

 

 

//  

 

 

 

 

Next Up for The Owls

 

FAU will hit the road next for a two game stint.  First up will be the Jaguars of South Alabama, this Saturday, February 14th.  Tip-off time is scheduled for 8:00PM EST.