Men’s Basketball Notches 350th Win in Program History

Wednesday, December 4

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

5-4

Canisius

4-4

Canisius

Florida Atlantic

2020 FAU Men’s Basketball vs Illinois-Chicago

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

12/4/2019 11:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team outlasted Canisius 62-59 on Wednesday night. The win is the 350th in program history and the Owls improved to 5-4 on the year.

How It Happened

The game was a slugfest from start to finish, with neither team holding a lead larger than six points all night. FAU led by five on two different occasions in the first half, but both times, Canisius (4-4) rallied to eventually take the lead.

Madiaw Niang hit a pair from the free throw line to give the Owls a 26-25 lead with 5:45 remaining in the first half. In that 5:45, there were eight lead changes and six ties. The final lead change occurred when Everett Winchester made two free throws to send FAU into intermission leading 39-37.

The Owls were able to maintain a small lead for most of the second half, despite stiff resistance from the Golden Griffins. Canisius trimmed the margin to two with 38 seconds left, but couldn't get any closer, missing a potential go-ahead 3-pointer. Karlis Silins was fouled and split his trip to the charity stripe, and the Golden Griffins' desperation heave was offline.

Notables

Silins had a season-high 15 points to go along with seven rebounds. It was his fourth double-digit scoring game of the year
Kenan Blackshear put together another solid performance. The freshman scored nine points, pulled down seven rebounds (including four on the offensive end), dished out two assists and had a block
The Owls' perimeter defense held Canisius to 38.2 percent shooting from the floor and just one made 3-pointer, both season lows for FAU opponents
FAU improved to 17-5 under Dusty May when leading at halftime

Quotables

FAU Head Coach Dusty May
"Karlis played really hard, came up with toughness rebounds…he played a really good game."

"You have to figure out a way to win (on a) particular night and I thought our guys did that."

FAU Center Karlis Silins
On making his late free throw…
"I'm glad that made one of the two (free throws) and put the game away, but I have to keep working and getting better on my free throws."

On the team playing so many close games…
"It's preparing us for where we want to be at the end of the year. At the end of the year, (close) games like those are not uncommon, so I think it's great for us. It's a little nerve-wracking, but I think in the bigger picture, it's great for us.

What's Next

The Owls will take time off for exams before hosting High Point on Saturday, Dec. 14. Tip-off is set for 4 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.