Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
10-8, 5-2SBC
FIU
13-7, 3-4SBC
Defense Fuels Women's Basketball Past FIU 50-49
1/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2012
Miami, FL - The Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team defended a last-second shot to down rival FIU 50-49 in Sun Belt Conference action on Saturday at the U.S. Century Bank Arena in Miami. The Owls have held six of their seven league opponents under 60 or fewer points. The win improves FAU to 5-2 in league action, including four victories on the road. Overall, the Owls stand 10-8.
FIU's Jerica Coley rimmed out a 10-foot jumper as time expired in the pressure-packed final minutes. FAU had opened a 50-47 lead with 3:35 remaining after a three-point field goal by senior guard Teri Stamps. The host Panthers cut the lead to one, 50-49, on a layup by Fanni Hutlassa at the 2:22 mark. FIU would miss its final three shots of the game, including the game-winning try.
"We defended well. We hit some big shots late in the game as well," said Chancellor Dugan, FAU's head women's basketball head coach. "We knew who was going to get the last shot (Coley) and just hoped it wouldn't go in . . . this was a total team effort to pick up an important road victory," said Dugan.
Both teams battled back-and-forth in the second half with eight lead changes and three ties. The largest lead in the second half was four points for either team. Stamps gave FAU a 41-37 lead with a three-point field goal at the 10:17 mark. The Panthers then scored the next six points to regain a 43-41 lead after a Coley basket with 7:29 remaining.
FAU sophomore guard Takia Brooks drained a three pointer on the next offensive possession. The basket gave the Owls a one-point lead.
"We talked about protecting the ball and we turned it over eight times in the second half," said Dugan.
In the first half, FAU and FIU battled to a 25 tie after sophomore forward Chenise Miller scored all seven of her points to pace the offensive attack. The visitors closed out the first half on a 7-2 run over the final 4:30.
FAU senior forward April Goins and sophomore guard Kimberly Smith led the Owls with 10 points each. Stamps scored all of her eigth points in the second half. Brooks and Miller added seven points respectively.
The Owls out-rebounded FIU 34-24, marking the sixth time in seven league games the team has out-rebounded the opposition.
FIU (13-7, 3-4 Sun Belt) was paced by Coley's 21 points while Hutlassa chipped in 11 points.
The Owls stand in second place in the SBC East Division with the 5-2 record. FAU returns to the court on Wednesday, January 25 at 7 p.m. against Western Kentucky University. Live audio and statistics of the game can be found at www.fausports.com. For season and single-game tickets contact the FAU Ticket Office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
