Owls Fall to Samford 66-43

Saturday, January 6

Boca Raton, Fla.

7:00 PM ET

Florida Atlantic

Samford

1/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Jan. 6, 2001

Box Score

BOCA RATON -

A low scoring game was on tap Saturday evening in Florida Atlantic (3-11, 2-1 TAAC) University's 66-43 loss to Samford University (6-7, 3-1 TAAC).

The Trans America Athletic Conference contest saw the two teams enter the locker room at the half scoring a total of 41 points, the Bulldogs scored 27.

"They (FAU) are a tremendously improved team," said Jimmy Tillette, Samford's head coach. "They are missing their best inside player and we were able to exploit that. I give the credit to Marc Salyers. FAU is offensively capable. For us to hold them to 43 points is good."

FAU opened the game playing man-to-man which may have drained the team physically. The also held the two time defending TAAC Champion and NCAA participant to just 27 first half points.

"They are a very good team," said Green. "We are trying to get there. Our defense was ok, but it is hard to get there when you shoot 27%. Coming into the game our staff was very pleased with the tenacity and the spirit which the team has exemplified. Tonight, unfortunately, it just wasn't there."

FAU was led by freshman Jeff Cowans who scored 17 points and had nine rebounds, both team highs and one rebound shy of a double-double. It was his sixth time to lead the Owls offensively and the third time to lead the team in rebounds. Samford was led by Marc Salyers. Salyers scored a game high 23 points and grabbed nine boards, all defensive. Derrick Jones also scored in double digits with 11. Chris Weaver tied the game rebound high of nine.