Women's Basketball Falls In TAAC Tournament

Wednesday, March 7

Orlando, Fla.

8:15 PM ET

Florida Atlantic

6-22

Mercer

9-19

Mercer

Florida Atlantic

3/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

March 7, 2001

Box Score

Orlando, FL - For the third time this season, Florida Atlantic University fell to Mercer University. This time, with the stakes higher, the Lady Owls were defeated 81-50 in the first round of the Trans America Athletic Conference in Orlando, FL. Mercer's Gemma Collins led all scorers with 18 points while Jwanda Roberson had 17. FAU's Tamala Vaughn led the Lady Owls with 14 points in her final collegiate game. She also had a team-high eight rebounds.

The Lady Owls struggled all evening to find consistency as the Lady Bears built a 35-25 halftime advantage. The Lady Owls could not get any closer in the second half as Mercer steadily built the lead to its largest margin of 31 at the final buzzer.

"We just couldn't get things going," said FAU head coach Chancellor Dugan. "I kept waiting for us to relax and string together some points, but that never happened. It was frustrating."

LaTorria Matthews also closed out her FAU career with five points. Ruta Griniute, who set the FAU season record with 85 blocks, was the third Lady Owl to see her final action.

Vaughn ended up fourth all-time at FAU in points with 1,165 while Matthews finished seven points behind with 1,158.

The loss ends FAU's season at 9-19 while Mercer improved to 6-22. The Lady Bears have just three wins against TAAC competition this season, all of which are against FAU.

Mercer advances to the quarterfinals Thursday where they will meet Georgia State.