Owls Take Down SMU

Thursday, February 22

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

21-6,11-3AAC

SMU

19-8,10-4AAC

SMU

Fla. Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley

2/22/2024 11:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic's men's basketball team (21-6, 11-3 AAC), bounced back to defeat SMU (19-7, 10-4 AAC), 80-70, in a sandstorm battle at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on Thursday night.

The Owls now move to 11-1 at home on the season as they recorded their 10th straight victory at the Elly.

Junior center Vlad Goldin and junior guard Alijah Martin dropped 20+ apiece on a combined 14-for-24 shooting as the FAU showcased a versatile offense that was able to score from any spot from the court.

FIRST HALF

The game kicked off with back-to-back Owl dunks, first from Goldin followed by one from junior guard Johnell Davis.

Highlights were aplenty, with more slams coming from Martin as well as senior guard Brandon Weatherspoon.

A balanced act saw no FAU player scoring more than nine in the opening frame. 30 of the Owls' 41 points came in the paint as they entered the locker room up by four.

SECOND HALF

FAU opened the half firing away from downtown with early triples from Martin and senior guard Jalen Gaffney.

The Owls defense came alive, holding the Mustangs without a field goal for the first five minutes of the final 10. SMU shot just 32% from the field over the entire period. Florida Atlantic did not trail for the entire 20 minutes on their way to the double-digit victory.

QUOTABLE

STATS & NOTES

Goldin has recorded 20+ points in back-to-back games for the first time in his career
This marks the fifth game of the season where at least two Owls score 20+ points (Goldin with 21 and Martin with 20)
With a 10, 5, and 5 stat line, Davis now has three straight games with 10+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists
Gaffney nabbed a career high eight rebounds
The Owls outrebounded the Mustangs 43-37 and won the battle in second chance points 25-8
FAU recorded 18 assists to SMU's five

UP NEXT

The Owls will head to Memphis on Sunday, Feb. 25 for their first game against their new AAC opponent since the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament that kicked off a historic Florida Atlantic run for the ages. Tip off will be at 2 p.m EST., airing on ESPN.

FOLLOW THE OWLS

To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.

Florida Atlantic's 2023-24 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.