A real close heartbreaker! Great job ladies, keep playin hard!

Game Capsule for Saturday's contest against the Hatters…

Who: Stetson (4-4) at Florida Atlantic (5-4)
When: Saturday, December 15 at 2 p.m.
Where: FAU Arena, 777 Glades Road on the Boca Raton campus

Series History: Stetson leads 21-14
Last Meeting: Stetson 52-37 on December 21, 2011 in DeLand

Probable Starters

Stetson

G  #22  Jama Sharp                  5-7  So.        10.6 ppg    4.3 rpg
G  #23  Shanasa Sanders          5-7  Sr.        13.1 ppg    5.8 rpg
G  #30  Victoria McGowan        5-5  Sr.        16.9 ppg    6.4 rpg
F  #3    Cherisse Burris            5-10 So.          8.0 ppg    3.3 rpg
F  #24  Sasha Sims                  6-0  Jr.          8.8 ppg    4.0 rpg

Florida Atlantic

G  #22  Takia Brooks                5-7  Jr.          13.1 ppg    4.1 rpg
G  #4    Briah Blakely                5-8  Jr.            4.7 ppg    1.7 rpg
G  #10  Kimberly Smith            5-8  Jr.            7.4 ppg    4.9 rpg
F  #24  Shanequa Schrouder    5-11 Jr.            4.8 ppg    2.9 rpg
F  #25  Chenise Miller              6-0  R-Jr.        13.4 ppg    6.0 rpg

Live audio and statistics of the game are available at www.fausports.com.

The Owls (5-5) dropped their third straight game in a 78-66 decision on Saturday to A-Sun opponent Stetson at FAU Arena.

Florida Atlantic led 25-24 with with 4:59 to play after a Kimberly Smith three pointer, but the Hatters (5-4) turned up the heat from there out, as FAU could not regain an advantage.

Chenise Miller posted a double-double effort with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Breana Turner added 15 points as well.

Stetson shot 8-of-14 (57.1%) from long range, and netted a 44-30 advantage in rebounding.

The team will next travel to Troy for a 1:00 PM contest on Friday.

Friday's capsule for the Owls @ Trojans…

Who: Florida Atlantic (5-5, 2-0 Sun Belt) at Troy (3-7, 0-2 Sun Belt)
When: Friday, December 21 at 1 p.m.
Where: Trojan Arena in Troy, Ala.

Series History: Florida Atlantic leads 16-12
Last Meeting: FAU 68-62 on February 25, 2012 in Boca Raton

Probable Starters

Florida Atlantic

G  #22  Takia Brooks                5-7  Jr.      12.1 ppg    3.8 rpg
G  #4    Briah Blakely                5-8  Jr.        4.9 ppg    1.8 rpg
G  #10  Kimberly Smith              5-7  Jr.        8.0 ppg    4.8 rpg
F  #24  Shanequa Schrouder      5-11 Jr.        4.5 ppg    2.9 rpg
F  #25  Chenise Miller              6-0 R-Jr.    13.6 ppg    6.5 rpg

Troy

G  #3  Joanna Harden              5-7  Jr.      10.9 ppg    3.4 rpg
G  #4  Ashley Beverly-Kelley    5-6  Fr.      12.9 ppg    4.3 rpg
G  #5  Sarah McAppion            5-9  Sr.      9.2 ppg    6.2 rpg
G  #23  Britney McCloud            5-9  Jr.      14.6 ppg    5.0 rpg
F  #35  Kourtney Coleman        6-0  So.    10.9 ppg    6.9 rpg

Live audio and statistics of the game is available at www.fausports.com

Latavia Dempsey's free throw with just 1.2 to play kept the Owls perfect in Sun Belt play, providing the needed go ahead for an 81-80 win over Troy (3-8, 0-3) at Trojan Arena on Friday afternoon.

After leading 21-9 early on, Florida Atlantic (6-5, 3-0) allowed the Trojans back into the game, and trailed 30-36 at the break.

But an 18-0 run to start the second half appeared to have the team back in the drivers seat for good.

Troy would claw their way back into the game however, tying the ball game at 80-80 behind back-to-back layups with with :04 remaining.

Dempsey was then fouled, and missed the front end of a pair at the line, before cashing on the second for the game winner.

“This is one of the most challenging games of the season,” said Head Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay. “The players know that this is the last game before the holiday break. For us to come here and get a win says a lot.”

Breana Turner (25 points) was one four players in double figures for FAU, who tied their season best in three point baskets with eight made.

The Owls next take on Louisiana-Monroe Saturday, December 29 at 3:00 PM.

FAU assumed their first 4-0 start in Sun Belt play since joining the league with a 82-72 win over Louisiana-Monroe  (2-10, 0-3)  on Saturday.

Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay was glad to get the win, but will continue to challenge her squad.

"The sign of a great team is one that can bury their opponent", said Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay. "We've got to be disciplined."

The Owls led by as many as 15 in the first period, and 12 in the second, but let the Warhawks back in the game at 55-51 with 7:59 to play.

Latavia Dempsey immediately drained a three ball to add some space, only to see the home team nudge back to within five after a free throw from Jasmine Shaw at the 2:21 mark.

Fortunately, teammate Kimberly Smith would answer with another dagger from long range, providing the final distance needed.

With ULM forced to foul, Florida Atlantic closed out the contest with a 5-of-6 showing at the free throw line.

Briah Blakely, who was a perfect 6-of-6 for the contest, accounted for four of those.

The win marked the fifth straight game for the Owls (7-5, 4-0) with seven or more three pointers, and saw Dempsey score 16 of her 18 points in the second half.

Louisiana-Monroe out rebounded Florida Atlantic 47-38, but committed 27 turnovers.

Chenise Miller paced all players with 26 points.

FAU will next host Louisiana-Lafayette on Wednesday, January 2nd at 7:00 PM.

Rick said

Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay was glad to get the win, but will continue to challenge her squad.

"The sign of a great team is one that can bury their opponent", said Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay. "We've got to be disciplined."

Love that quote.

Cajuns @ Owls Game Capsule…

Who: Louisiana (7-6, 1-3) at Florida Atlantic (7-5, 4-0)
When: Wednesday, January 2 at 7 p.m.
Where: FAU Arena

Series History: Florida Atlantic leads 6-3
Last Meeting: Florida Atlantic 66-52 on December 31, 2011 in Lafayette, La.

Probable Starters

Louisiana

G  #10  Kia Wilridge                  5-5  Fr.    9.2 ppg    5.2 rpg
G  #0    Brandi Schambough      5-6  Sr.    4.0 ppg    1.0 rpg
G  #3    Robbie Brown              5-8  So.    5.9 ppg    3.7 rpg
F  #15  Ashley Benjamin            5-9  Jr.    9.2 ppg    6.2 rpg
F  #21  Jasmin Mills                  6-1  Fr.    4.5 ppg    5.0 rpg

Florida Atlantic

G  #22  Takia Brooks                5-7  Jr.    11.1 ppg    3.6 rpg
G  #4    Briah Blakely                5-8  Jr.      5.6 ppg    2.3 rpg
G  #10  Kimberly Smith              5-7  Jr.      8.1 ppg    4.6 rpg
F  #24  Shanequa Schrouder    5-11 Jr.      4.3 ppg    2.8 rpg
F  #25  Chenise Miller              6-0 R-Jr.    14.5 ppg    7.1 rpg

Live audio and statistics of the game is available at www.fausports.com.

The Florida Atlantic women's basketball team remained perfect in conference play tonight, routing Louisiana-Lafayette 79-44 at FAU Arena.

The Owls (8-5, 5-0) lead comfortably at the half 31-23, but answered Head Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay's recent call to "put teams away" by upping their offensive output in the second to the tune of +16 points.

"There were stretches when we were very good offensively and defensively. When we put all those things together it is going to be pretty special", said Lewis-Jay.

The contest was never in question, as a free throw by Ashley Benjamin, which was the game's first point, gave ULL (7-7, 1-4) their only lead.

Four players saw double-figures for the Owls in Latavia Dempsey (19), Chenise Miller (16), Takia Brooks (11), and Kimberly Smith (11).

FAU's interior defense and long range shooting was solid, while registering a season high 13 blocks, and 11-of-23 (47.8%) showing from 3PT respectively.

The team will next travel to Murfreesboro for a showdown against Middle Tennessee on Wednesday, January 9th at 8:00 PM.

Owl2Doc said

Rick said

Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay was glad to get the win, but will continue to challenge her squad.

"The sign of a great team is one that can bury their opponent", said Coach Kellie Lewis-Jay. "We've got to be disciplined."

Love that quote.

+1 they definitely did that tonight wow they are for real. Coach Kellie Lewis- Jay is doing some work.