FAU Women's Basketball Season Comes to an End

Wednesday, March 4

Boca Raton, Fla.

7:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

12-17

New Orleans

14-16

New Orleans

Florida Atlantic

3/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

March 4, 2009

Final Stats

The Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team could not overcome a hot shooting night from the University of New Orleans on Wednesday night at FAU Arena. The Privateers shot 54 percent from the field and got a career-high 20 points from Candace McGee in a 67-61 win over FAU in the first round of the 2009 Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

The game was back and forth throughout, as the lead changed 10 times in the first half. FAU led by as many as seven points after a Breana Turner three-pointer gave the Owls a 13-6 lead just over six minutes in. The Privateers would answer back with an 11-2 run, eventually taking a 17-15 lead on a Ty Felder three-pointer midway through the half. UNO would push the lead to four points after a Cookie Johnson three made it 25-21 with less than five minutes to go. FAU would answer back before the half, and after Brittany Bowe hit a jumper to put back in a rebound, the game was tied at 32 at halftime.

The Owls would push out in front early in the second half. Another jumper by Bowe gave FAU their biggest lead of the second half at 41-36. UNO responded thanks to McGee, who scored on three straight possessions. Her three-point play tied the game at 45, and Ashley Alexander hit a lay-up to give the Privateers a 47-45 lead. UNO would not trail again, although the Owls would cut the lead to a one basket game on numerous occasions.

The big blow to FAU came in the final minute with the Privateers ahead 63-61. Brittany Helm drove past Bowe on the baseline for a lay-up and three-point play to put UNO on top 66-61. The Owls would not score after that.

"We just had a tough time defending out there tonight," said Head Coach Chancellor Dugan. "UNO came in here with a team of seniors and they played like seniors who didn't want their season to end."

New Orleans (14-16) shot 54 percent (13-24) in the second half and had three players score double-figures, led by McGee's 20. Jada Frazier scored 16 and Helm picked up 14. UNO hit six-of-10 from three-point range, four of them coming in the first half. The Privateers will advance to play top-seeded Middle Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Tournament on Saturday at the Summit Arena in Hot Springs, Arkansas at 1:30 p.m.

FAU was led by Andrea Taylor, who hit four three-pointers and scored 16 points. Bowe added 14 and Carla Stubbs picked up 10. FAU shot 40 percent (23-57) but committed 16 turnovers, just over their season average.

The Owls season comes to an end at 12-17, an improvement of six games from a season ago.