FGCU Buzzer-Beater Nips Owls in Overtime

Wednesday, November 20

Fort Myers, Fla.

7:30 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

-23,00 CUSA

Florida Gulf Coast

1-4,0-0ASUN

OT 1

Fla. Atlantic

FGCU

2019 FAU Men's Basketball vs Old Dominion

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

11/20/2019 11:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A buzzer-beater was the difference as the Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team fell to Florida Gulf Coast 72-70 in overtime on Wednesday night.

The Start
The Owls (2-3) started off well both offensively and defensively, holding the Eagles to just two field goals in the game's first 10 minutes, building a 22-5 lead in the process. The margin was 15 with 3:44 remaining in the first half, when FGCU began chipping away at the cushion, pulling to within single digits at the 15-minute mark of the second half.

FAU answered with 10 straight points, capped off by a Karlis Silins three, to take its largest lead of the game, 46-27, with 12:09 left to play.

The Turning Point
The Eagles gradually began to erase FAU's lead and eventually tied the score on a Jalen Warren layup with 44 seconds left. A Silins putback allowed the Owls to go back ahead 57-55 with 30 seconds to go, but Warren responded with another bucket to level the score at 57. FAU had a chance at the game-winner in regulation, but the shot was no good, sending the game to overtime.

The Finish
The extra session was back and forth the entire way, with neither team leading by more than three points the entire period. Michael Forrest made a pair at the line to knot the score at 68 with 38 seconds left. Warren scored to retake the lead for FGCU, but Forrest countered with a running layup to once again even the sides, this time at 70-all. Warren made a jumper with two-tenths of a second left and the Owls were unable to get a potential game-tying tip-in.

Notables

Michael Forrest scored 16 points and also grabbed four rebounds
He is the Owls' fifth different leading scorer in as many games this season
Aleksandar Zecevic had his second double-digit scoring game in a row, notching 12 points, in addition to collecting five rebounds
Karlis Silins posted 11 points and six rebounds
FAU outrebounded the Eagles 36-34

What's Next
The Owls will take some time off before hosting Holy Cross on Friday, Nov. 29 as part of the Boca Raton Beach Classic. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Live video and live stats will be available at fausports.com. The game can be heard on FOX Sports 640AM. Live updates will be posted to the team's official Twitter account, @FAU_Hoops.