Owls conclude non-conference play at Chicago State & Illinois

BOCA RATON, Fla. – After playing the last six contests on its home hardwood, the Florida Atlantic women's basketball team (7-1, 1-0 C-USA) will take a break from C-USA play this week as the Owls take a two-game road trip to Illinois to close our non-conference play.

Florida Atlantic Women's Basketball (7-1) at Chicago State (0-14) & Illinois (9-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
Matchup Details	at Chicago State \| Monday, Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. ET \| Chicago, Ill. \| Jones Convocation Center at Illinois \| Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. ET \| Champaign, Ill. \| State Farm Center
Game Coverage	at Chicago State \| Streaming: FloHoops \| Live Stats at Illinois \| Streaming: BigTen+ \| Live Stats Twitter: @FAUWBB
FAU Links	Roster \| Schedule \| Stats
Chicago State Links	Roster \| Schedule \| Stats
Illinois Links	Roster \| Schedule \| Stats

Owls Winning Streak

FAU is currently riding a six-game winning streak, and with a win on Monday, the Owls will tie their longest winning streak since the 2013-14 season, which also saw FAU win seven-straight contests.

Scouting FAU

The Owls are in their second year under head coach Jennifer Sullivan, who has led FAU to a 12-26 overall record over her two seasons in Boca Raton. The Owls enter this week's contests on a six-game winning streak, including wins over Palm Beach Atlantic (61-35), Binghamton (51-41), Sacred Heart (68-66), Kennesaw State (67-59), Florida National (94-33), and FIU (70-60).

Three Owls have averaged double-digit scoring totals this season, led by Aniya Hubbard, who is averaging a team-leading 11.5 points per game, but followed closely by Janeta Rozentale and Alexa Zaph, who are both averaging 11.3 points per game. Hubbard leads FAU in steals, collecting 1.5 per game. Rozentale is the Owls rebounds and blocks leader, averaging 7.1 boards per game and registering 0.88 blocks per contest this season. Rozentale is tied for the C-USA lead in double-doubles this season, earning four over the Owls' eight contests so far this season. Janeta also leads the league in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 3.5 per contest, and ranks sixth in total rebounds per game, averaging 7.1 per game. Devyn Scott is the Owls assists leader, dishing out a team-best 2.6 per game this season.

As a team, the Owls are the national leader in three-point percentage defense, holding opponents to a dominant .210 from beyond the arc. The Owls lead C-USA in scoring defense, holding opponents to a league-leading 53.9 points per game, field goal percentage defense (.335), defensive rebounds per game (31.1), and fewest fouls per game (14.9). FAU ranks second in the league in winning percentage (87.5), rebounds per game (44.6), and rebounding margin (8.9).

C-USA Freshman of the Week

Freshman center Dyllan Hanna was named C-USA Freshman of the Week after helping lead the Owls to a huge 94-33 win over Florida National on Dec. 6.

The Saint Augustine, Florida native had a career night against Florida National on Dec. 6. Hanna tied for the team lead and recorded a career-best 18 points, shooting 89 percent (8-of-9) from the field, and a perfect 100 percent (2-of-2) from the free throw line, while also pulling down six rebounds and adding a block and a steal in the Owls' dominant 61-point win.

The honor marked the first career award for the freshman and the first for the Owls so far this season.

Scouting Chicago State

Chicago State is in its first season under head coach Andrea Williams and has led the Cougars to a 0-14 record so far this season.

The Cougars are led by Tae'lor Willard and Janiah Newell, who are averaging 12.1 and 10.1 points per game this season. Newell is the Cougars leader in assists, dishing out 2.5 assists per game. Defensively, Chicago State is led by Josie Hill, who is averaging a team-leading 6.8 rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks per game. Jacia Cunningham leads the Cougars in steals, averaging 0.9 steals per contests.

Scouting Illinois

Illinois is in its first season under head coach Shauna Green, who has helped lead the Fighting Illini to a 9-2 record so far this season. The Fighting Illini are currently riding a two-game winning streak heading into their contest this weekend against the Missouri Tigers.

The Fighting Illini are paced by Makira Cook, who is averaging a team-leading 17.9 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 46.5 percent from 3-point range, as well as leading the team in assists with 4.3 per game this season. Illinois' Adalia McKenzie and Genesis Bryant are also averaging double-figures this season, scoring 15.9 and 12.9 points per game this season, respectively. Defensively, McKenzie has grabbed a team-best 1.6 steals per game, while Kendall Bostic leads Illinois in rebounds and blocks, recording a team-leading 9.6 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per contest this season. Jada Peebles leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally in three-point percentage, shooting .556 percent from long-range. Genesis Bryant ranks first in the Big Ten and third nationally in free throw percentage, shooting .972 from the charity stripe.

As a team, the Fighting Illini rank fourth in the nation in three-point percentage, shooting .409 from beyond the arc. Illinois also leads the Big Ten in three-point percentage defense (.263), rebounds per game (44.2), rebound margin (12.4), and field goal percentage defense (.346).

Series History

This week's contests will be the first all-time meeting for the Owls against Chicago State and Illinois.

Up Next

Following the holiday break, the Owls will return to conference play as they host the North Texas Mean Green on Thursday, December 29 for a 7 p.m. tip inside Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

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