Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
New Orleans
Owls Win First Ever Sun Belt Game
2/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2007
Boca Raton, FL - For the first time in their history, Florida Atlantic University women's basketball earned a Sun Belt conference victory on Sunday afternoon. They got past the University of New Orleans, 68-61, at FAU Arena.
"I'm proud of the team for their effort today," said Head Coach Chancellor Dugan. "They could have folded at the end, but they held it together and gutted out a very important victory."
FAU (5-23, 1-15 SBC) connected on 27-of-41 (65.9 percent) free-throws to help them snap a 12-game losing streak. They out rebounded their opponent 56 to 49.
Several Owls put forth career matching efforts. Brittney Crenshaw tied a career-high with 18 points and added six boards. Carla Stubbs had her first double-double, matching a career-best with 10 points and set a new high with 10 rebounds. Mistoria Brown also collected a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Shuteamia Brayboy rounded out the players in double digits, with 11 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists.
UNO (8-19, 2-14 SBC) set the contests early pace with a 16-6 lead at the 11:30 mark of the first half on a Cookie Johnson trifecta. The Owls bounced back and took their first lead of 24-23 on a Shuteamia Brayboy free-throw with 5:54 on the clock. The Privateers went on to hit two of their five first-half triples over the next three minutes and led by six with 2:50 remaining. FAU was able to cut their deficit to 34-31 entering half-time.
The second frame began with UNO building a 47-40 advantage with 15:12 remaining on six Talisha Young points. Florida Atlantic rallied and used an 8-0 run to take its first lead of the period, 48-47, on a Brittney Crenshaw jumper with 12:39 to play. Both teams went cold over the next five minutes, as neither squad hit a field goal until the 7:20 mark. After building a game high five point lead, FAU allowed UNO to re-take the lead on a Le'Della English three pointer that gave the Privateers a 58-55 advantage with 4:12 on the clock.
FAU used one final burst to come back and claim their first Sun Belt win. On the ensuing play, Brown got fouled and hit the shot for Florida Atlantic, completing the three-point play to knot the score at 58. Mistoria would give the Owls the lead for the final time, 60-58, on a lay-in at the 3:05 mark. UNO missed four three-pointers in the final two minutes and FAU hit eight free-throws as time wound down to seal the game.
Young led New Orleans with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jadia Frazier and English each had 13 points. Cookie Johnson rounded out the scoring with 11.
Florida Atlantic shot 27.0 percent in the victory, but were aided by 26 UNO fouls. The Privateers hit only 7-of-18 (38.9 percent) from the free throw line. The Owls held them to 20 percent shooting from long range in the second half.
On Thursday, FAU will be back in action at home to take on South Alabama at 7 p.m. The game will be senior night for the four graduating seniors on the squad.
