Owls Basketball Face Inter-Division Test vs. LaTech and USM


What: Florida Atlantic (12-9, 5-3) vs. Louisiana Tech (16-5, 7-2) | Southern Miss (6-14, 1-6)

When: Thurs, Feb 3rd, @ 7:00 PM
            Sat, Feb 5th, @ 4:00 PM

Where: The Burrow - Abessinio Court at FAU Arena

Series: The Bulldogs own an 8-2 mark against the Owls, but are 2-2 at The Burrow. The Golden Eagles enjoy a slim 5-4 edge.


TV: ESPN+

Radio: FoxSports 640

Live Stats: Here


LaTech Team Site: Here


LaTech at a Glance

Offense - 78 PPG, 47% FG, 34% 3PT

Defense - 67.5 PPGA, 40% FGA, 34% 3PTA

Rebounding - 37.5 RPG Bulldogs, 35 RPG Opponents


Bulldog Notables

LaTech enters the weekend tied for second in the West Division standings after splitting home games against Rice (won 80-63) and division-leading North Texas (lost 63-62).

Kenneth Lofton, Jr., who has continued to solidify himself as one of the nation's top players, anchored the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding in both games, including a 20-point, 11-rebound effort versus the Mean Green.

The "potential All-American" (according to FAU Head Coach Dusty May) and USA Basketball National Team players is averaging a team-best 17.2 points and 10.7 boards per game. That includes 21.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest in the last four games.

The last matchup between the Bulldogs and FAU came down to the wire at the C-USA Championship Tournament in Frisco, Texas last March. FAU held the lead as late as the 3:20 mark. The contest was tied at 69 a piece less than 90 seconds left as LaTech scored the final six points of the game to hold on for a 75-69 win.

As a ballclub, the Bulldogs ranked second in the league in scoring with 78 PPG, trailing only UAB. Their stellar 46.5% FG shooting also ranks number two in the league.



USM Team Site: Here


USM at a Glance

Offense - 62.5 PPG, 43% FG, 31% 3PT

Defense - 71 PPGA, 43% FGA, 35% 3PTA

Rebounding -  33.7 RPG Golden Eagles, 35.8 RPG Opponents


Golden Eagle Notables

The struggling Golden Eagles from Hattiesburg are amidst a three game losing streak against all competition an 1-12 stretch vs. Division 1 teams going from late November.

Their lone conference win was a one-point home victory over UTSA in early January. In all of their conference losses, USM has failed to reach the 65-point threshold. This is not surprising, as their 62.5 PPG ranks dead last in the league.

Last time out, USM feel to North Texas and Rice by 9 and 14 points, respectively.

The future Sun Belt Conference members are lead by forward Tyler Stevenson and his 14.4 PPG. The Mississippi local also leads the team in minutes, starts, FG made, FG attempts, total rebounds, RPG, and blocks.



FAU at a Glance

Offense - 74.8 PPG, 46% FG, 36% 3PT

Defense - 67.9 PPGA, 44% FGA, 37% 3PTA

Rebounding - 37.1 RPG Owls, 32 RPG Opponents


Owl Notables

The Owls return home following a split series in Texas. FAU lost on a heartbreaking buzzer-beater vs. UTEP before completing a gritty win over UTSA on Saturday.

The win over the Roadrunners was especially impressive, as it required a full team effort. "The credit of the victory (over UTSA) goes to the bench," said FAU Head Coach Dusty May.

Second-year freshman Johnell "Nelly" Davis (photo below center) came off the bench to score a career-best 15 points in Saturday's win at UTSA. Davis also had six boards in the victory over the Roadrunners. He's the team's third-leading rebounder, despite averaging 18 min/game.



The Owls have won seven straight at home and will look to improve on their stellar record when playin in Paradise. In fact, FAU has won 76% of their games in the Dusty May era (40-12, .769). FAU has been even better on its home floor since May's first season. Since 2019, FAU is 31-6 at FAU Arena for an .838 winning percentage.

"Look, we have a potential All-American (Lofton) coming in here, a historical program with great tradition and a good following," former LaTech assistant May says of his former employer. "But they stand in our way of a championship."

Rebounding has been a point of emphasis for the Owls the last two seasons. The Owls are No. 1 in CUSA and No. 51 in the nation in rebound margin at +5.1. In 17 of 21 games this year, FAU has tied or out-rebounded the opposition.



Latest Lines:  LaTech FAU +2.5
                       USM TBA


Additional Links:

2021-2022 FAU Basketball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest

GALLERY: FAU Arena Concepts from 2021 Men's and Women's Basketball

We're underway in a BIG C-USA tip as FAU takes on Tech in The Burrow!

Here's the Starting Five for your Owls:

G Greenlee
G Forrest
G Martin
G Winchester
F Goldin

Let's GET THAT DUB!

16:26 1st

BULLDOGS CALL TIME! FAU races out to an 11-3 start on 5-of-6 shooting 🔥🔥🔥

#GoOwls 🦉🏀🦉

11:57 1st: FAU 22  La Tech 13

Lofton might have a good offensive game but that D is 🗑️ Owls have scored 8 points on him so far.

Martin is 5-for-5 from the floor, including a post up bucket 🔥🔥🔥

#Goowls 🦉🏀🦉
  

9:30  FAU 33  La Tech 15

THE OWLS ARE ON 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Forrest NAILS back-to-back 3's and 🐶 Call time AGAIN!

7:34 1st

FAU is shooting 68.2% from the floor and 60% from 3 PT.

La Tech is just 1-of-7 from distance.

Each team has 12 point in the paint.

3:45 1st

FAU 39  La Tech 22

Owls are 6-of-11 from DOWNTOWN to that of 1-of-8 for the 🐶

Burrow Fans LIKE WHAT THEY SEE! 🦉🏀🦉

HALFTIME: FAU 44  La Tech 30

Fantastic 3 PT display in the 1st period for the Owls. Martin is leading the way with a game high 17 PTS. Teams are neck and neck off the glass and in the paint.

Michael Jordan in The House.

🦉🏀🦉

13:16 2nd

FAU 53  La Tech 42

Forrest breaks an 8-0 Bulldog run.

Let's GO!