Owls Win Thriller Over Middle Tennessee State 61-60

Saturday, January 16

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

8:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

8-10, 4-3

Middle Tennessee

8-10, 3-3

Florida Atlantic

Middle Tennessee

1/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Jan. 17, 2010

Box Score

MURFREESBORO, TN - Alex Tucker's lay-in with three seconds remaining game gave the Florida Atlantic men's basketball team a 61-60 win over Middle Tennessee State on Saturday night.

The Owls (8-10, 4-3 Sun Belt) scored the first five points of the game and built a lead as big as seven in the first half. FAU went more than four and a half minutes without a field goal, allowing the Blue Raiders (8-10, 3-3) to tie the score at 27. A Shavar Richardson triple just before halftime sent FAU to the locker room up 30-27.

FAU scored four straight points early in the second half to take a 38-30 lead. MTSU answered with 14 unanswered points as the Owls endured another scoring drought. The Blue Raiders' lead reached 11 when FAU scored 12 of the next 17 points to pull with two, 56-54. MTSU had several chances to ice the game from the charity stripe, but could not capitialize. After Rod Emanuel gave MTSU a 57-54 lead, Greg Gantt hit a three to tie the score with 54 seconds remaining.

James Washington drew a foul, but was only successful on one, giving the Blue Raiders a 58-58 advantage. Sanchez Hughley and Montarrio Haddock traded layups, making the score 60-59, MTSU. Alex Tucker hit a layup to put the Owls ahead. Washington's three-point attempt at the buzzer missed. FAU returns home Thursday to host UALR .The game will start at 7 p.m. Live audio of the game will be available on ESPN760.com and FAUsports.com.