Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Owls Want Title
3/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 7, 2001
BOCA RATON--- - By Bob Gosman
Boca Raton News
As if playing in the Trans America Athletic Conference Championship wasn't enough motivation, the FAU women's basketball team has a score to settle with Mercer.
When No. 7 FAU plays No. 10 Mercer at about 8:15 p.m. today in the first round of the TAAC Tournament at UCF Arena, the Owls will try and post their first victory of the season against the Bears.
Mercer's (5-22, 2-16) only two TAAC victories this season came against FAU (9-18, 6-12). The Bears defeated the Owls 74-64 on Jan. 12 and posted a 94-88 overtime victory on Feb. 17.
"Whatever buttons I pushed, I wish it could carry over," Mercer coach Billy Holmes said. "We were awfully lucky both times. They were in control most of the way."
In particular, Holmes was pleasntly surprise that his team was able to win such a high-scoring game on Feb. 17. Mercer's 94-point output was 20 more points than the Bears had scored in any other game this season.
"We're not an up-tempo team," Holmes said. "I would have bet my whole year's salary that we wouldn't (score that) many ponts. It normally takes tow game for us to get that."
Giving up points has been one of FAU's primary problems this season. The Owls surrender 78.1 ponts per game, a full eight points more than any other team in the conference.
However, FAU takes a three-game winning streak into the TAAC Tournaemtn, and during that stretch the Owls are holding teams to 67 ponts per game.
FAU's interior defense is keyed in large part by senior center Ruta Griniute and junior forward Kristy Halvorsen. Griniute's 84 blocks are an FAU single-seson record, and Halvorsen is averaging five rebounds per game.
"Ruta changes the way that people can attack on the inside," Owls coach Chancellor Dugan said. "Kristy hustles getting the tough rebounds and doing all the things a coach loves."
In addition to defense, a big reason FAU has won five of its last seven games has been the performance of its reserves.
"Sometimes sitting on the bench can be a great learning tool," Dugan said. "You can see what is happening out there and then come in and make a difference. You can rest a lot of peopel when backup (players) come inand extend the lead."
The Owls' play during the last two games has been particularly impressive because it has come without their point guard.
Junior Chantale Jones suffered her third concussion within the past year Feb. 27, and she has missed the last two games.
The Owls are hoping the return of freshman point guard Julie goad will help compensate for Jones' absence. Today's game is goad's first since sustaining a stress fracture in her right foot six weeks ago.
"Hopefully, I'll be able to contribute, "Goad said. "I'm going to be out of shape, but I can suck it up for this tournament."