Owls Stumble in Second Half, Falling 67-56 to Wichita State

Saturday, February 10

Boca Raton, Fla.

2 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

8-15,3-9AAC

Wichita State

7-17,3-9AAC

Wichita St.

Fla. Atlantic

2/10/2024 7:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic Owls (8-15, 3-9 AAC) couldn't overcome second-half struggles, dropping a 67-56 battle against the Wichita State Shockers (7-17, 3-9 AAC) on Play4Kay and Alumni Day Saturday at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Florida Atlantic was slow out of the gate as Wichita State opened the contest on a 7-0 run. Allie Tylka got the scoring going for the Owls with her first triple of the day to make it 7-3. Mya Perry hit the Owls second 3-pointer of the day to bring Florida Atlantic back within three at 9-6 just under the five-minute mark of the opening period, but the Shockers went on a 9-3 run to extend their lead to nine, 18-9, with 1:28 to play. However, Jada Moore scored on back-to-back possessions to net four unanswered for the Owls, closing to within five after the first, 18-13.

The Owls carried the momentum into the second quarter, producing a 9-3 run to take their first lead of the day following a Dyllan Hanna layup, 22-21. The two squads battled through three ties, as things remained locked at 30-30 with 1:05 to play in the opening half, but Tylka broke the stalemate with 13 seconds to play, knocking down her fourth triple of the day to give the Owls a three-point lead at the break, 33-30.

Florida Atlantic opened the third on another run, outscoring Wichita State 6-2 to give the Owls their largest lead of the contest, 39-32, but the Shockers battled back to score eight unanswered, retaking the lead, 40-39, with 5:39 to play in the third. Perry knocked down back-to-back threes to push the Owls back to a five-point lead, 45-40, however, Wichita State closed the third on a 7-0 run to retake the lead once again and put the Owls at a one-possession deficit with 10 minutes to play, 47-45.

Wichita State pushed the lead to five, but Perry answered back for the Owls, scoring on a jumper and a triple to bring the Owls even at 50 with 6:35 to play. However, Florida Atlantic just couldn't match up with Wichita State over the final six minutes of play as the Shockers just outmuscled the Owls on a 17-6 run to close out the 67-56 contest.

HEAD COACH JENNIFER SULLIVAN POSTGAME THOUGHTS

"Disappointing loss, we felt good going into the game. I think the most glaring stat that sticks out to us is the paint points, 36-14, in favor of Wichita State. I thought they were the more physical team. I thought number 23 Daniella really hurt us on the boards in back-to-back games. That's just an area that we have to consistently address, finishing in the paint and looking for solid touches in the paint. Disappointing, but we will bounce back. Really excited the space this team is in. We got a great North Texas team coming in next week. We will regroup and be ready to compete on Wednesday."

NOTES AND TEAM STATS

Mya Perry and Allie Tylka led the Owls on Saturday, including a season-best for Tylka.
Perry scored a game-leading 18 points, shooting 47 percent (7-of-11) from the field and 36 percent (4-of-11) from beyond the arc, in addition to adding two boards, two steals, and an assist.
Tylka tallied a season-best 16 points on 63 percent (5-of-8) from the field, 57 percent (4-of-7) from 3-point range and finished with a perfect 2-of-2 at the line. She also added two rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Janeta Rozentale had another dominant performance on the glass, finishing with a season second-best 18 boards, while also scoring six points and tallying three assists.
Alexa Zaph led the Owls in assists, dishing out a season-best six assists.
The Owls had a great second quarter, outscoring the Shockers 20-12 before the half.
Florida Atlantic also outshot Wichita State from distance, outshooting the Shockers .323 to .222 from 3-point range.

UP NEXT

The Owls will close out their two-game homestand on Wednesday as they host the North Texas Mean Green for their Red Out game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

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