GAME CAPSULE: FAU @ WKU - Jan. 16th, 2023
What: FAU (16-1, 6-0) vs. WKU (11-6, 3-3)
When: Mon. Jan 16th, @ 7:00 PM
Where: E.A. Diddle Arena
Series: Hilltoppers lead 17-7 over the Owls. This is the first matchup between the two teams this season.
TV : ESPN+
Radio : FoxSports 640
Live Stats : Here
Line: FAU -4.5
FAU at a Glance
Offense - 78 PPG, 48% FG, 38% 3PT
Defense - 64 PPGA, 41% FGA, 33% 3PTA
Rebounding - 39 RPG Owls, 32 RPG Opponents
Owl Notables
If you thought FAU was done winning consecutive games, think again.
Even as North Texas held them on the ropes for most of Saturday's encounter, the Owls scrapped their way through with a spectacular second-half performance from sophomore guard Johnell Davis as he scored 14 points after only getting two in the first.
Junior center Vlad Goldin made sure FAU sealed the win at the free-throw line in the final seconds. Despite shooting 56% at the charity stripe this season, he knocked down both attempts to keep the Owls' program-record winning streak alive.
Streak Updates
- Best start to a season at 16-1
- Most consecutive wins in history at 15
- Home win streak of 12 games (record 15, set 1/3/91 to 1/2/92)
Davis has been on an offensive tear in the Owls' last four contests. In that stretch, he is averaging nearly 20 points per game shooting 57% from the field and 53% from beyond the arc, which FAU will hope to see continue against WKU on Monday.
Bu the Owls will be looing to do better in guarding the perimeter. They allowed six three-pointers per game prior to Saturday, where they went on to concede 12 against the Mean Green. WKU makes 8.2 three-pointers per game, which the Owls will need to make sure they don't defensively collapse on at the perimeter.
After this contest, FAU and WKU will meet again in Boca Raton on Jan. 28th at 4 PM.
WKU Team Site: Here
WKU at a Glance
Offense - 74 PPG, 46% FG, 39% 3PT
Defense - 68 PPGA, 39% FGA, 35% 3PTA
Rebounding - 35 RPG, 37 RPG Opponents
Hilltopper Notables
After getting past arguably their toughest matchup in North Texas, the season will not get easier for FAU as they take on Western Kentucky men's basketball on the road.
The Hilltoppers bounced back from a five-game losing streak including a poor 0-3 start in C-USA play, winning three straight against UTSA, UAB, and FIU. In that span, they outscored their opponents 224-201.
FAU must limit the production of Hilltopper guard Dayvion McKnight. McKnight, the team's undisputed leading scorer at 17.4 points per game, is effective at creating his shot as he knocks them down at a 48% clip. He also has a strong tendency of getting to the free-throw line, leading WKU in free throws made and attempted.
The Owls have to be wary of WKU's elite shot-blocking ability. They deny 6.1 shots per game, ranking the best in C-USA and 4th in the country.
Should FAU's guards go inside the paint, expect them to have their work cut out for them going against Jamarion Sharp. Sharp, the 7-foot-5 Hilltopper center, is responsible for 4.3 of WKU's blocks per game as the team's most important defensive player. Not only does he lead C-USA in blocks, but he also tops the nation in that statistic.
The Owls need to be careful with their shot selection. The Hilltoppers allow just 39% of their opponents' attempts to go in, so FAU has to be diligent in finding holes against the WKU defense.
G Boyd
G Greenlee
G Gaffney
G Weatherspoon
C Goldin
Go Owls!🦉🏀
8:21 1st
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 17, 2023
(24) #FAU 16 #WKU 19
Goldin THROWS it down as Owls try to shake off a rusty start, shooting 25% from the field and 20% from 3⃣.
Go Owls! 🦉 🏀 pic.twitter.com/fmwDaMIY4h
Bench scoring (Frampton), penetration, defensive stops.
Can they do this for two halves?
I don't think so, but we'll see…
FAU held off an early shooting barrage from Hilltopper Luke Frampton to lead by 1⃣ at the break. Boyd LIT UP the perimeter with 9⃣ PTS, as Owls EDGE WKU 20-18 in rebounding #GoOwls🦉🏀
Got to find a way to keep the darlings in the game.
Go Owls!!!
8:38 2nd
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 17, 2023
(24) #FAU 62 #WKU 53
Boyd places a BRILLIANT PASS to Forrest for the layup on the fastbreak to cap off a 7-0 run! 🔥#GoOwls🦉🏀 pic.twitter.com/fg3H0C1VoA
NOT supposed to be doing that really against any east teams, but this being on the Hill makes it even that more special.
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