Stellar Second Half Gives Owls 79-63 Win at FIU

Sunday, January 4

Miami, FLA.

6:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

7-5, 1-0CUSA

FIU

3-9, 0-1CUSA

Florida Atlantic

FIU

1/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Jan. 4, 2015

Final Stats

MIAMI, Fla. - The Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team outscored rival FIU 45-27 in the second half to earn a 79-63 win in its Conference USA opener in Miami on Sunday.

The Owls (7-5, 1-0 C-USA) were led by Shaneese Bailey's career-high 29 points, 18 of which came in the first half. The sophomore scored FAU's first 16 points of the contest in the first 6:33, making each of her first seven field goal attempts.

Freshman Melinda Myers also set a new mark in her young career with 13 points, including eight down the stretch to help the Owls pull away for the win. Junior Ali Gorrell also reached double-digits with ten points and led FAU with seven assists and six rebounds. Freshman Lauren Williams tacked on 11 points and recorded four steals.

FIU (3-9, 0-1 C-USA) led by as many as six with 3:26 left in the first half, but FAU chipped away at the lead, tying the game before the Panthers made a layup with nine seconds left to take a 36-34 lead into the locker room.

Bailey and Myers combined to score the first six points of the second half to earn a one-point lead before sophomore Kat Wright buried back-to-back 3-pointers that put the Owls on top for the final time.

The defense in the second half setup the comeback for the Owls as they kept the Panthers from making a basket over the last 5:27 of the game. By that point, however, FAU had amassed an 11 point lead that would not be relinquished.

FAU returns home to host UAB and Middle Tennessee on Jan. 8 and 10, respectively. For ticket information, visit FAUSports.com or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.