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Anthony Adger scored 26 points to help FAU avenge Wednesday’s loss to FIU by blowing out the Panthers 89-72 in Miami.
The loss snapped FAU’s four-game losing streak, the Owls’ longest of the season.
“We really struggled the first 10 or 12 minutes of the game, but were able to stay just close enough and made a run right before halftime,” FAU coach Dusty May said. “Then we were able to come out and play our best basketball for the first five to 10 minutes of the second half.”
Three days after scoring 21 points in a loss to the Panthers, Adger drained five three-pointers and all nine of his free throws in the Owls’ blow-out victory.
FIU once again had no one capable of guarding FAU forward Xavian Stapleton. After scoring eight of his 13 points on Wednesday in the final five minutes, Stapleton once again came off the bench on Saturday, only this time he scored 20 points in 22 minutes. Stapleton connected on eight of his 10 field goal attempts and sank all three free throws. He was responsible for all off FAU’s bench points.
Leading by a mere point at halftime, FAU shot better than 65 percent in the final 20 minutes to pull away for an easy win.
FAU led by 16 points less than seven minutes into the second half only to see FIU trim 11 points off that lead in a following five minutes. The Owls responded by scoring the next 15 points, leaving little doubt as to the outcome.
The final eight points of that run came on free throws, with freshman guard Michael Forrest sinking six of them in six tries.
GameBrowser: FAU (12-9, 3-5) 89, FIU (13-8, 4-4) 72
Moving Forward: After struggling with the FIU press on Wednesday Forrest bounced back with 22 points and four assists, committing only two turnovers. …Center Aleksander Zecevic led FAU with eight rebounds while scoring six points. He also had three of the Owls’ six blocks. …FAU out-rebounded FIU 45-32. …The Owls made 21 of their 26 free-throw attempts (83.9 percent).
Falling Backward: Kevaugh Ellis played 21 scoreless minutes, missing all five of his shots. …Battling a minute fracture in his fibia, center Karlis Silins played only seven minutes and didn’t score. …Madiaw Niang played six scoreless minutes. He didn’t score in either game against FIU after missing the two prior games with a foot injury. …FAU committed 22 turnovers.
Key Stat: 12 – victories for FAU on the season, matching the Owls’ win total from last year.
Up Next: FAU welcomes Louisiana Tech to The Burrow on Thursday for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
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