Owls' Rally Against UAB Comes Up Short, 80-78

Thursday, January 19

Boca Raton, Fla.

8:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

-512, 15 CUSA

UAB

-127, 51 CUSA

UAB

FAU

1/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Jan. 19, 2017

Final Stats | USATSI Photo Gallery

UAB-FAU box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. - (Jan. 19, 2017) - The Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team played yet another opponent down to the final seconds, but came up just short against UAB, 80-78. Gerdarius Troutman had 21 points to lead all scorers. It was his second straight 20-point game.

The Turning Point

After rallying from a 15-point deficit to take a lead early in the second half, the Owls (5-12, 1-5 C-USA) trailed by 10, 70-60, with just over five minutes left in the game. FAU outscored UAB (12-7, 5-1) 15-8 over the next four and a half minutes to pull within three at 78-75. Troutman converted a four-point play to cap the rally.

The Finish

The Blazers hit a bucket as the shot clock expired to go up 80-75 with nine seconds remaining. Troutman hit his sixth and final three-pointer with sixth-tenths of a second to go. However, UAB was able to run out the clock and seal the win.

Notables

It was the third consecutive game that Troutman led the team in scoring, as well as his third 20-point game of the season.
Jeantal Cylla scored 13 points for his second straight double-figure scoring game.
Adonis Filer and Justin Massey tallied 11 points each, giving FAU four players in double figures.
Nick Rutherford had eight points, six assists and four rebounds.

Quotable

FAU Head Coach Michael Curry

"We've been talking to our guys about the start of games, the first four minutes, not from a physical standpoint, but more from a mental standpoint. It's not about shot making, you can't have mental mistakes. We have three mistakes and they make three threes in the first four minutes. That's the game."

Looking Ahead

The Owls host Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Jan. 21. The game starts at 7 p.m. Live video and live stats will be available at fausports.com. The game also will be broadcast on ESPN 106.3 FM. Live updates will be available at the team's official Twitter account, @FAU_Hoops.