Monroe, Graham Lead FAU in Upset Win over WKU

Wednesday, February 14

Bowling Green, Ky.

7:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

WKU

2/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

BOWLING GREEN, KY - Carlos Monroe registered his third-consecutive double-double and Paul Graham came away with two critical steals in the final seconds as the Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team walked into Bowling Green, KY and posted a huge win over Western Kentucky, 78-73.

Monroe was nearly unstoppable in the game, going 10-for-12 from the field and 6-for-10 from the line for 26 points while grabbing 12 rebounds - both game-highs. Graham gave FAU 17 points, but perhaps his biggest plays came on the other side of the ball, picking up two steals with less than 10 seconds left to secure the win.

"I'm so proud of our team," Head Coach Rex Walters said. "Carlos was very good in the first half, Paul made some great plays. Everyone made a contribution tonight."

The Owls shot a remarkable 60.0 percent from the field in both halves, making 30 of 50 attempts and scoring 50 points in the paint. In a game that featured a combined 32 turnovers (16 each), 16 ties and 12 lead changes, FAU made just enough plays to win. Something they hadn't done earlier in the season.

"To come into this environment and get a big win against a great team like Western Kentucky on their home floor is huge," Walters said. Jeff Parmer gave FAU 14 points while DeAndre Rice added 13. Graham led all players with five assists.

Western Kentucky did manage a slim rebounding margin, 30-29, but its 14 offensive rebounds kept them in the game much like the game earlier this season. The Hilltoppers shot 45.9 percent from the field in the contest.

FAU had a four-point lead, 73-69, with 3:38 remaining in regulation. Back-to-back buckets by WKU tied the game at 73 with 1:43 left, but that was only the start of a wild finish.

Rice would miss a three just 13 seconds later, but Graham came up with an offensive rebound. Another Rice jumper came up short, but this time Monroe found the offensive board. The third time was a charm for the senior from Flint, MI, as Rice dribbled out the shot clock near mid-court before driving the lane and hitting a leaner to give FAU a two-point lead, 75-73, and just 32 seconds remained.

Parmer made what was seemingly the play of the night, when he took a charge on Lee in the paint on the other end with 22 seconds left. But the inbounds pass went astray, giving Western Kentucky the ball back with 21 seconds still on the clock. Great defensive work by Brent Crews forced the ball loose from Lee once again and Graham came away with the steal.

The sophomore from Philadelphia, PA would sink the first of two free throws to give FAU a three-point lead, and FAU never looked back. Two Monroe free throws gave the final margin.

FAU (13-13, 8-7 SBC) picks up its fifth road win of the season, third in conference play. It's the first time FAU has been at .500 overall since the last time these two teams met on December 30. With the win, FAU ensures it will at worst hold its position of a three-way tie for fifth-place in the SBC standings heading into this weekend's home game against New Orleans, who FAU topped earlier this year on the road.