FAU’s Defense Handles Charlotte, 65-44

Thursday, January 23

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 PM

Florida Atlantic

-99 324 CUSA)

Charlotte

-116 (24 CUSA)

Charlotte

Fla. Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

1/23/2020 10:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team (9-9, 3-4 C-USA) earned their way back in the win column, knocking down Charlotte (11-6, 2-4 C-USA) Thursday night, 65-44. FAU's defense held Charlotte to a 26.8 shooting percentage (12.5 from 3-point range) and just 44 points, which marks the least amount of points the Owls have given up in a conference game since belonging in Conference USA.

How It Was Decided

The Owls got the ball rolling in the first quarter by going on a 12-6 run, which was capped off by a three-point play delivered by Crystal Primm. The guard would then hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the quarter scoring eight of her 20 points on the night, as the Owls led 21-13.

Charlotte would then claw their way back to come within two points midway through the second quarter by going on an 11-2 run. That was the closest the 49ers would get to regaining the lead, as Juliette Gauthier drove to the basket for a layup and Primm hit her second 3-pointer of the night following a steal by Lotta Vehka-Aho. With a minute left to go in the half, Gauthier knocked down another 3-pointer to send the Owls into the locker room with a 31-21 lead.

In the third quarter, Gauthier continued to be on fire from beyond the arc, going 2-2 from downtown. The Owls ended the frame on an 8-2 scoring drive to end the quarter with a 49-28 advantage after outscoring Charlotte, 18-7.

The Owls led by as many as 28 points in the game following a 3-pointer tallied by Abby Voss midway through the fourth quarter. Although Charlotte went on a 9-2 run in the final four minutes of play, the Owls still won in convincing fashion, 65-44.

Game Notes

Primm delivered her fourth consecutive 20+ point game, as the West Palm Beach, Florida product tallied 20 points and seven rebounds
Gauthier followed with 18 points and nine boards to be just short of a double-double. The sophomore finished the night going 4-6 from beyond the arc, while adding three assists and a steal
Astou Gaye finished the night with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in 20 minutes of play
Vehka-Aho was productive in many aspects of the game, logging five assists and matching a career-high four steals along with six points
Nikola Ozola came off the bench delivering a career-high four boards along with two steals
The Owls held the 49ers to just 44 points, which is the least amount of points an FAU defense has held a C-USA opponent to in the Jim Jabir era
FAU outshot Charlotte 45.5 percent versus 26.8 and held the 49ers to just six assists. The Owls also held the 49ers to a 12.5 percentage from beyond the arc
The Owls hit eight 3-pointers in the game to continue the Owls' streak of hitting a trey in a game. FAU has tallied a 3-pointer in 300 consecutive game with the streak stretching back to Dec. 30, 2009 against Georgia Southern
With three conference wins, the Owls surpass last season's C-USA win total

With Coach Jabir

"I think the kids are just playing harder and more confidently, but we have a long way to go," said head coach Jim Jabir. "It is a very tough league and we still have a lot of games to play and we have to get a lot better."

Up Next

The Owls will finish out the homestand on Saturday against Old Dominion. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. with the game being broadcast on ESPN+. For tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit fausports.com.

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