BONUS GAME THREAD: FAU @ UNT - February 28, 2019
What: Florida Atlantic (16-12, 7-8) vs. North Texas (20-8, 8-7)
When: Thursday, February 28 @ 8:00 PM ET
Where: The Super Pit
Series: The Mean Green own a 12-5 advantage, but the Owls have won two straight.
Video: ESPN+ (FEE)
Radio: ESPN 106.3
UNT Team Site: Here
UNT at a Glance:
Offense – 70.9 PPG, 45% FG, 34% 3PT
Defense – 62.0 PPGA, 40% FGA, 31% 3PTA
Rebounding - 37.2 PG, 32.6 PG Opponents
Notables
The Mean Green have lost four straight, including a 10 point defeat to FAU in Boca Raton. Last time out, the Mean Green blew a 14-point halftime lead against Louisiana Tech in a 66-53 loss. UNT failed to convert a FG in the opening ten minutes of the game's second half.
North Texas is the only team in the country with six players averaging double-digit scoring: Ryan Woolridge 12.3 PPG, Umoja Gibson 12.1 PPG, Roosevelt Smart 11.3 PPG, Michael Miller 11.0 PPG, Jorden Duffy 10.3 PPG, and Zachary Simmons 10.3 PPG.
Woolridge sustained an injury midway through the Mean Green's visit to The Burrow. He has not returned to the court since. Jorden Duffy returned from injury in last week's loss to LaTech, putting up 9 points in 28 minutes of work.
UNT has the 13th best defense in the nation, and the second stingiest defense in C-USA.
While averaging over 70 PPG, the Mean Green average 54.5 PPG in the four recent losses. That includes their 47 point effort against FAU several weeks ago.
FAU at a Glance:
Offense – 71.8 PPG, 41% FG, 33% 3PT
Defense - 68.4 PPGA, 41% FGA, 32% 3PTA
Rebounding - 40.2 PG, 35.7 PG Opponents
Notables
The Owls will look for a win in Denton for a chance of a winning record in Bonus Play. An FAU victory would also guarantee the first winning season since 2010-2011.
Moreover, a win would give Head Coach Dusty May sole possession of first place for most wins by a first year head coach since FAU moved to the Division I level.
Last weekend, the Owls lost to rival FIU 79-76. Xavian Stapleton and Anthony Adger each scored 16 points, while Karlis Silins came off the bench to score 13.
FAU defeated North Texas 57-47 in mid-February. It was the second time in three games that the Owls held an opponent to less than 50 points. In that contest, FAU owned the advantage along the boards and on the arch. Adger owned a team high 15 points, 6 of which came from the three-point arch.
Opening Line: FAU +7.5
Dusty May makes a pair of changes in tonight's Starting Five:
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 1, 2019
G - Anthony Adger
G - Richardson Maitre
G - Kevaughn Ellis
F - Simeon Lepichev
C - Karlis Silins
Adger will shift to the PG slot, replacing Forrest and allowing Maitre to start. Silins replaces Zecevic.
#UNT 17 - #FAU 12 | 11:31 1H
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 1, 2019
Owls allow an early 7-1 lead evaporate as the Mean Green have converted 7 of their last 9 FGs.
Niang leads with 5 points. Followed by Silins and Maitre with 4 and 3 respectively.
HALFTIME | #FAU 28 - #UNT 23
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 1, 2019
It's a BIG DAY for FAU's big men! Niang, Zecevic, and Silins are all on the score sheet, while Maitre is the only FAU G with a FG.
Owls limit the Mean Green to just 3 points in the final ten minutes of the half.
Let's hope for a solid second half, would really like to get this one under the belt.
Need FOUR to get to that "magical" number of 20
Of course, we'll likely still need a tourney run to get there afterwards, but still would be nice to be in the hunt!
#FAU 35 - #UNT 29 | 15:23 2H
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 1, 2019
Owls still lead, thanks to Stapleton and Ellis joining the score sheet. Silins leads all scorers with 10 points.
Stapleton hits a layup, then Maitre knocks down a three to give #FAU an 11 point lead! Mean Green call a timeout in hopes to quell the Owls' momentum.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 1, 2019
#FAU 46 - #UNT 33 | 7:54 2H
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 1, 2019
Y'all want a #TBT? How about the last time when these two sides met, FAU held UNT to under 50 points.
Anybody having a déjà vu? 🤔🤔🤔
dusky256fc said
NT is hurting, we need to keep the pressure on and keep pushing!Posted On: Feb 28th 2019, 9:15 PM #385366
+1
These guys blew Marshall out and we gave up 94 points to them…strange, but that is college basketball!
If we can get this one and LA Tech (at home), we'll be sitting at 18 wins with the Herd remaining for the regular season.
Unfortunately we are at their place again, but it is hard to beat a team twice in a season given the parity the league has shown this year…so,who knows!
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