Owls to Host First Round Sun Belt Conference Tournament Game

Saturday, February 28

Miami, FLA.

5:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

12-16, 9-9SBC

FIU

6-23, 4-14SBC

Florida Atlantic

FIU

Owls to Host First Round Sun Belt Conference Tournament Game

2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Feb. 28, 2009

Final Stats

The Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team was led by Carla Stubbs 15 points (all in the second half) as the Owls shot 58 percent (14-24) in the deciding half of a 57-48 win over Florida International University. The win guarantees that FAU will host a first round game in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday, March 4 at the FAU Arena, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. It's also the Owls first ever win at FIU.

FAU led 21-19 at halftime, and broke the game open in the second half with an 8-2 run in the first three minutes. Two Stubbs lay-ups and two Jessica Knurick lay-ups pushed the lead to 29-21 two and a half minutes in. The Golden Panthers would hang within nine until midway through the half, when FAU went on a 9-0 run to give the Owls their biggest lead at 48-30. Stubbs would score five of the points in the run and her jumper with nine minutes to go gave the Owls their biggest lead.

FIU would test the Owls late in the game. The Golden Panthers answered right back with a 11-0 run and after Marquita Adley sank a lay-up and got a three-point play off a missed free-throw, the Owl lead was cut to 48-41. The Golden Panthers would cut the lead to seven two other times, the latest being with 2:35 to go at 53-46. FIU wouldn't get any closer after that, as Stubbs sealed the game with two driving lay-ups to clinch the win.

"I'm so happy for our kids," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Chancellor Dugan. "I thought we worked hard to get shots and got good open looks in the second half."

FAU (12-16, 9-9 Sun Belt) shot 46 percent (22-47) from the field and was led by Stubbs' 15 points. Andrea Taylor added 12 points on two-of-four shooting from beyond the arc.

FIU (6-23, 4-14 SBC) was led by Ashley Traugott, who came off the bench to score 14 points; Adley had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Golden Panthers shot 30 percent (18-60) from the field and only hit two-of-14 shot from beyond the arc.

Tickets are available now for Wednesday night's first round game in the SBC Tournament. Ticket prices are eight dollars for adults, six dollars for youth and senior citizens and five dollars for High School and Community College students. Tickets will be available on Monday, March 2 by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS or right now online at www.fausports.com. Purchase tickets online and receive a free T-shirt courtesy of FAU athletics. The Owls first round opponent will be determined at the end of conference play on Sunday night, March 1.