Owls’ Comeback Comes Up Short in Sunshine Slam Title Game

Tuesday, November 25

Daytona Beach, Fla.

7:30 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

5-2,0-0American

George Mason

7-0,0-0Atlantic 10

George Mason

Fla. Atlantic

Photo by: Keira Arimenta

11/25/2025 10:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ben Paul

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic men's basketball team erased a 19-point second half deficit but ultimately fell to George Mason, 74-65, in the Sunshine Slam championship game on Tuesday evening at the Ocean Center.

In the title game for the 2025 Sunshine Slam's Beach Bracket, the Owls (5-2) embarked on a 12-0 run over the Patriots (7-0) with less than 11 minutes remaining, bringing the game within one possession multiple times in the final moments.

Redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool was once again an FAU spark plug, scoring 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting to go with his team-best nine rebounds and five assists to earn a spot on the Sunshine Slam's All-Tournament team.

FIRST HALF
The Owls' early offensive success came from three-point range, with the first nine points coming from beyond the arc. Junior guard Kanaan Carlyle and Devin Vanterpool combined for 21 of the team's 25 points.

Florida Atlantic closed the gap on the double-digit deficit, trailing by nine with one minute remaining, before two straight triples from George Mason sent the Owls into the locker room trailing 40-25.

SECOND HALF
Leaning on the inside game to start the final period, the Owls converted seven of their first 11 attempts, all coming from the paint.

With under 11 minutes remaining, the Patriots took a game-high 19-point lead. Then, the Florida Atlantic comeback was on, going on its 12-0 run while holding George Mason without a field goal for nearly five minutes.

The Owls' gap continued to close, led by Vanterpool and redshirt freshman guard Amar Amkou, who checked in for the first time of the night with 12 minutes to go and scored seven points. Vanterpool attacked the rim and converted a three-point play to bring the game within single digits, followed by an Amkou layup off a George Mason turnover to cut the lead to three points at the two-minute mark.

Redshirt sophomore forward Devin Williams tipped in a missed shot to put the game within one possession once again with 38 seconds left, but the Patriots converted six free throws down the stretch to end the valiant comeback effort.

PRESS CONFERENCE

STATS & NOTES

Carlyle led the way in scoring with 22 points, the first Owl to record 20+ in three straight games since Vlad Goldin in 2024.
Vanterpool's nine rebounds are a new career high. He has recorded at least five in each of the first seven games.
With three on the night, Williams had his fourth consecutive game with at least three blocks. He has recorded multiple in six out of seven games on the season.
The Owls outscored the Patriots 38-26 in the paint.

UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will close out the month of November by hosting St. Bonaventure on the 30th at 3:30 p.m. at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on ESPN2.

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 2025-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.