Monday's Daily Briefing: See Barfield hit game-winning shot vs. GSU
By Chuck King
This game looked to be a new low for what was already a season filled with valleys.
The FAU women's basketball team trailed Georgia Southern by 18 points in the second half. That's an Eagles team that had won only once in eight tries this season.
Suddenly, though, FAU came to life. Lyrell Barfield hit a couple of shots, the Owls' pressure defense forced some turnovers and, boom, FAU launched a run. The Owls didn't complete the comeback until Barfield drained a 3-pointer in the closing seconds to win 68-65. To see the shot and hear coach Chancellor Dugan and Barfield discuss it, watch the above video.
FAU led for less than one minute in the game, but that didn't matter. In the end, the Owls rang the Victory Bell.
Monday's win is the kind of victory that can change a season. The Owls finally displayed the explosiveness they've been missing. They also showed heart. Seven FAU players in their first year at Boca Raton adorned the score sheet. Wins like this build chemistry – something that this year has only been found on the academic side of campus.
The victory isn't a panacea. FAU was truly awful in the first half of the game and there certainly won't be any monuments erected to teams that beat Georgia Southern this season.
FAU coach Chancellor Dugan seems to think this team will come together. To me, it doesn't look like one that will compete for the Sun Belt crown. Certainly not yet, anyway.
The Owls are only 3-6 but make no mistake, Sunday's victory win provided more than a simple notch in the win column. If the Owls build on Sunday's momentum and string together some victories, people will point to that Barfield 3-pointer as being the catalyst. Remember, however, that while Barfield's shot won the game, the act of fighting back from an 18-point deficit will prove to be more important to the season.
Owl links – Articles of interest to FAU fans
As you've already figured out, the FAUOwlAccess.com team covered the women's victory over Georgia Southern.
We also provided this preview of tonight's men's game at Siena. Interested in reading more about that game? I also answered some questions for an entry on SienaSaintsblog.com.
Other links:
Here's a short account of the women's game from the Savannah Morning News.