The FAU Owls (24-3, 14-2 C-USA) hosted UTSA Roadrunner (8-20, 2-15 C-USA) in one of the last home games of the season in preparation for the Conference Tournament. In their last meeting, the Owls bested the Roadrunners 83-64 in a convincing win. The Owls will look to repeat this time around. The Owls have been very strong at home with a perfect (15-0) record and would extend that record to 16 wins.
The Owls opened the first period strongly. G Alijah Martin would get them off to a good start with a strong layup at the rim. Alijah Martin is also the team’s 2nd leading scorer averaging 12.8 points a game; behind Johnell Davis 13.3 points per game.
From the start, one could tell that UTSA, did not want the same outcome as the last game. UTSA G DJ Richards would have a strong 1st half. Shooting a perfect 100% from the field, Richards 13 points would help keep the Roadrunners battling with the Owls. Every time the Owls would take a lead, he would score a timely basket to keep pace with FAU.
But a huge 3-pointer from Johnell Davis was the start of the FAUs run. From that point on, the Owls’ defense would put on a clinic, getting stop after stop. At the 12:53 mark, the score was tied at 20-20. For the next 5 min, the Owls would go on a 14-2 run, started by Brandon Weatherspoon’s 3-pointer and it would be the last time the game was close.
A made jumper by DJ Richards would stop the bleeding for the Roadrunners with 7 mins left in the 1st half. UTSA G John Biggs III would add 8 1st period points as well but by this time the Owls had established a dominant lead over the Roadrunners.
Neither team shot really great in the 1st period. The Owls shot just 16-39 (41%) compared to the Roadrunners, who shot 11-27 (43%). The Owls made just one more 3-pointer over UTSA in the 1st period, which is something FAU does really well. But great bench plays from Michael Forrest (7 pts) and Giancarlo Rosado (8 pts), who shot a perfect 3-3; gave the Owls a much need boost. By the end of the 1st period, the Owls had overwhelmed the Roadrunners.
When asked about his team’s shooting performance, Coach Dusty May said, “We did not shoot the ball well tonight. I thought there were some good looks that we left on the table and could have made things easier for us but luckily defensive stops and rebounds alleviate some of that pressure”
FAU would lead UTSA 45-32 heading into the half.
In the 2nd half, the Owls would do everything but take their foot off the gas. Recently, FAU has shown signs to allow teams back into games, and this would not be one of them. If the 1st half was any indication of what the Owls’ defense would be like, it was a great display. The Owls’ defense would create 18 turnovers en route to a blowout.
The Owls, who boast the best bench scoring in the nation (37.1) would see a huge number from their bench tonight. Leading the way would be Michael Forrest. Michael Forrest would end the game with 19 pts, 1 Reb, and 1 ast, shooting 7-12 from the field. Michael Forrest would not be the only Owls bench player with double-digit scoring. Bryan Greenlee (10 pts), Giancarlo Rosado (14 pts), and Tre Collin (11 pts). Most of which came in the 2nd period.
UTSA could do very little to stop what was happening. A monstrous dunk from Alijah Martin (12 pts, 2 ast, and 2 reb) and Brandon Weatherspoon (7 pts, 5 reb, and 3 ast) would keep momentum with the Owls for the rest of the game. The Owls’ defense would create 18 turnovers, which was the story of the game. Because of a stellar defensive performance, FAU art one point highest lead totaling 42 points.
In the end, FAU’s strong defense and excellent sharing of the ball, saw them win this game in great fashion 106-66. The Owls will be back in action on Thursday at 2 p.m. to complete the perfect home record.
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