FAU Welcomes Bobcats for Midweek Contest


What: Florida Atlantic (8-1, 0-0 C-USA) vs. South Alabama (9-2, 3-2 SUN)

When: Wednesday, December 14th, @ 7:00 PM

Where: The Burrow - Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena

Series: The Owls lead 1-0 from the lone contest played back in 1998


TV: CUSA.tv

Radio: FoxSports 640

Live Stats: Here

Latest Line: FAU TBA


Bobcats Team Site: Here


STU at a Glance

Offense - 91 PPG, 49% FG, 38% 3PT

Defense - 70 PPGA, 42% FGA, 33% 3PTA

Rebounding - 38 RPG, 35 RPG Opponents


FAU at a Glance

Offense - 81 PPG, 50% FG, 40% 3PT

Defense - 63 PPGA, 39% FGA, 29% 3PTA

Rebounding - 40 RPG, 34 RPG Opponents


Owl Notables

Florida Atlantic continues it's best start at 8-1 when they take the floor against St. Thomas on Wednesday night.

But Dusty May and company are is also knocking on the door of tying the longest win streak in program history - eight games - which was set back in the 2010-11 season against Middle Tennessee in a 62-51 home win under Coach Mike Jarvis.



Like all other opponents on the schedule up until now, the Bobcats were chosen to present another style of play to get familiar with as the games shift into a dedicated C-USA focus.

"All of our pre-conference games are very intentional and very purposeful", said Head Coach Dusty May. "St. Thomas…allows us to continue to play and get our legs back. We have FIU and then one more non-conference game then it's the grind of conference play - it's here."

On Wednesday they will likely look to counter a three-point onslaught by St. Thomas, with one key statistical indicator taking the stage: FAU has made more than every opponent they've faced.

This is evident in their continued national team ranking from long range, which is 40.4% and good for the 12th best showing overall.

As we reported last week, wins are coming in double-digit fashion for the team as of late, and there is no reason to believe that trend will change against the Bobcats

Alijah Martin's return to the lineup last week against Florida Gulf Coast which featured a red hot 21 point performance was a pole vault back to the top of the roster in scoring. He's now one of three Owls in double-figures at 14 ppg, alongside Michael Forrest (12) and Vlad Goldin (11.2).


Bobcat Notables

St. Thomas is led by N.C. A&T State University transfer Milton Mathews, who is a lethal three point threat as shown by his 45.4% showing from distance through eleven games.

With a 21.6 point per game average, he's leading the SUN Conference in scoring and has the Bobcats in the top of the league offensively as well.

Point guard Fred Mulbah is next in line with 12.8 ppg and he's doing so without having taken a single shot from beyond the arc. Mulbah is highly efficient with a 61.4% success rate form the floor and has dished out 79 assists on the year with a 2.4:1 turnover ratio.

"Specifically, we need to defend the three point line, they're small, they're athletic and they've got skill players at every position", May said. "It's a good test that will prepare us for our league games."

The Bobcats were picked to finish 2nd in the SUN this season, just behind Southeastern.

Starting five for the Owls as they get set to take on St. Thomas at Baldwin Arena:

G Boyd
G Greenlee
G Gaffney
G Weatherspoon
C Goldin

Go Owls 🦉🏀

No surprises here, Owls out to a big lead midway through the first period 28-13.

Boyd and Goldin with 6 points each to lead the way.

Owls lead 50-24 at the break and are shooting a blistering 58% from the floor overall. Martin with a game high 16 PTS, and Davis with 10 to lead the way for FAU, who also have a 28-6 edge in the paint. 🦉🏀

Nice tune up with FIU coming in to town. Anyone remember the 2010 Brett Royster game?

Of course…

 

DONE DEAL! 💯

Retain Best Start Ever (9-1) ☑️
Tie Program WIN Streak (8) ☑️
BLOW OUT the Opponent (+23) ☑️

NEXT: vs FIU Sat 2:00 PM Go Owls! 🦉🏀

FINAL STATS: FAU 97  St. Thomas 74

Owls with a season high 21 dimes on the evening and 22 digits off the fast break. Martin with a team high 18 PTS, Boyd 17 PTS, Davis 13 PTS, Forrest 13 PTS. 🦉🏀

UPDATED SCHEDULE: Here