BOCA RATON – FAU is heading back to the Conference USA basketball tournament.
The Owls clinched a berth before they ever took the court on Saturday when Southern Miss defeated North Texas, ensuring FAU would finish the season among C-USA’s top 12 teams.
FAU emphatically stamped its ticket hours later with a 73-66 victory over Texas-San Antonio, avenging a loss to the Roadrunners earlier this season.
The win was the first at home for the Owls at home since a Jan. 7 victory over FIU and concludes FAU’s home schedule. The Owls defeated only three Division I teams in The Burrow this season.
Saturday’s victory gave FAU double-digit wins in a season for the first time since the 2013-14 when the Owls went 10-22 – and the first time in coach Michael Curry’s three seasons in Boca Raton. The six conference wins are also most under Curry.
The Owls broke open a close game with an 8-0 run late in the first half. FAU led by double-digits for a significant portion of the second half but had to survive a late push by the Roadrunners, who cut the FAU lead six with 23 seconds remaining.
Adonis Filer made the most of his senior night by leading all scorers with 20 points, including 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
GameBrowser: FAU (10-16, 6-10) 73, UTSA (12-17, 7-9) 66
Moving Forward: Frank Booker enjoyed a fantastic night defensively, though the stats might not show it. He was only credited with three steals but appeared to create double that many. He also drew three charges and added eight points offensively. …FAU was 18-of-21 from the free throw line. ..Jailyn Ingram had eight rebounds. ..Every FAU who entered the game scored at least two points. …Nick Rutherford had 14 points and eight rebounds.
Moving Backward: FAU shot 5-of-17 from behind the arc. ..Ingram shot 2-of-10.
Key Stat: 38.2 – UTSA’s field-goal percentage on Saturday night.
Up Next: FAU will travel to Birmingham on Thursday night for their final road trip of the season and a matchup with the UAB Blazers. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. The Owls then end the regular season on Saturday at C-USA leader MTSU.
-Jake Elman contributed to this report.
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