FAU Picks up Critical SBC Win Against FIU

Saturday, February 10

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

FIU

2/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Feb. 10, 2007

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL - DeAndre Rice continued his dominant play and Carlos Monroe posted a double-double as the Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team swept the season series against Florida International, 85-78, at FAU Arena on Saturday.

The Owls picked up a 68-66 win in Miami, FL earlier this season on a Rice triple with under 10 seconds to play. The senior from Flint, MI duplicated his amazing effort in this game, scoring 29 points and went 10-for-11 from the field, 7-for-8 from beyond the arc. Monroe finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds on 8-of-14 shooting, while Paul Graham added 10 poins. Derrick Simmons and Brent Crews each added nine.

"Seniors get a real sense of urgency as their final collegiate season winds down," FAU Head Coach Rex Walters said. "DeAndre is playing with that urgency right now and is playing at a very high level."

FAU shot 51.9 percent from the field as a team, 45.0 percent from beyond the arc. FIU connected at 50.9 percent, 38.1 percent from downtown and outrebounded the Owls, 33-31.

FIU was led by Johwen Villegas with 19 points as the Golden Panthers finished with four players in double-figures. Chris Fuller led Florida International with eight boards.

With the win, FAU improves to .500 in conference play at 7-7, 12-13 overall. The loss drops FIU to 4-10 in Sun Belt Conference action, 9-15 overall.

The Owls will travel to Bowling Green, KY next week to face Western Kentucky in a critical match-up as the stretch run continues.