Free throws key in Owl’s 67-63 loss to Hofstra

Florida Atlantic (5-8) came up short in its return to the home court tonight. Hosting Hofstra University (8-5), the Owls fell by a final score of 67-63 in Boca Raton.

It wasn’t so much what the Pride, who shot just 37.1% from the floor, did. It was what the Owls did not do.

“You win if you make lay-ups, free-throws, and rebound the ball. We didn’t do any of those. Honestly, the way we played tonight, we should have lost by 20”, said Mike Jarvis.

FAU took 32 free throws but connected on just 21 of them – a loss of 11 potential points.

Despite a 48.1% performance from the field in the first period, the Owls trailed at the half 33-32 - mostly due to the rebounding efforts of Hofstra.

They would take the lead back 43-41 at the 12:06 mark of the second period on a three point basket by Ray Taylor, but it would be short lived.

Hofstra embarked on a 12-0 run over the next three minutes.

However, FAU would close the gap to just one at 61-60 with 1:26 to play and seemed primed with momentum to pull out the win.

But, a turnover by Taylor with :39 to play, and an ensuing foul, put Hofstra’s Lester Nathaniel at the line. He converted on both attempts to push the lead to three.

Taylor, who finished just 4-17 from the floor, appeared frustrated with his team’s lack of productivity and tried to take matters into his own hands at times.

“We’ve all been given swords, or strengths. Sometime there’s that fine line that our greatest strength becomes our greatest weakness”, Jarvis said.

FAU appeared out of rhythm within their motion sets at times, and, as a result, assists were few and far between. The Owls posted a season low of just four.

Sanchez Hughley led all Owl scorers with 14 points. Alex Tucker (photo) pitched in 13.

Nathaniel Lester and Charles Jenkins scored 17 points each for Hofstra

The contest marks the end of the non-conference slate for FAU, who finishes at 4-7.

The Owls now move into a 16 game Sun Belt conference set beginning this Saturday against South Alabama. The Jaguars defeated #18 University of Florida 67-66 last Tuesday night in Gainesville. Tip off time is 7:00PM at FAU Arena.

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