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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Owls Fall Short Against Iowa
11/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov 24, 2002
By TODD DVORAK
Associated Press Writer
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Chauncey Leslie scored 20 points and three others scored in double figures to lead Iowa to a 79-52 victory over Florida Atlantic in the Hawkeyes regular season opener Sunday.
It was the 25th straight season opening victory for Iowa (1-0).
The game also marked the regular season debut for Iowa's two highly touted freshmen, Jeff Horner and Greg Brunner.
Horner scored 15 points, dished out four assists and was key to the Hawkeyes' ability to break Florida Atlantic's backcourt press, which the Owls used most of the second half in an attempt to erase a 16-point halftime deficit.
Iowa also got 15 points and 14 rebounds from Jared Reiner, while Brunner chipped in 12 points and six rebounds.
The Hawkeyes padded their lead with a 12-2 run in the opening minutes of the second half, including five points by Leslie, the Hawkeyes' only senior. Florida Atlantic, led by 16 points from guard Earnest Crumbley, got no closer than 16 points in the second half.
Brunner started in place of junior Sean Sonderleiter, who was suspended indefinitely before the game for violating team rules. Athletic Department officials said Iowa coach Steve Alford would discuss Sonderleiter's status during his post-game press conference.
Iowa outhustled the Owls early, jumping out to a 13-6 lead, contesting every pass and shot and diving all over the floor for loose balls.
Florida Atlantic suffered early from poor shooting and mistakes, hitting a meager 22 percent in the first half, turning the ball over 13 times and going nearly 10 minutes without scoring a point.
Both teams struggled with cold shooting and sloppy play midway through the first half, but a basket by Reiner off a rebound with 7:11 remaining triggered a 15-10 spree that gave Iowa a 32-16 halftime lead.
Florida Atlantic also got 13 points from Jeff Cowans and 12 from Avery Headley.
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