Second-Half Surge Powers Owls Past Air Force

Thursday, November 27

Boca Raton, Fla.

12 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

3-3,0-0American

Air Force

3-4,0-0Mountain West

Air Force

Fla. Atlantic

11/27/2025 5:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – A big second-half surge helped to lead the Florida Atlantic Owls past the Air Force Falcons, 76-71, on Thursday at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

The Owls improve to 3-3 overall, and Air Force falls to 3-4 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Air Force opened the contest on an 8-4 run, but the Owls answered back with an 8-4 run of their own, capped off by Vivian Onugha's first basket of the day, to tie things up at 12-12 with just under three minutes remaining in the first. FAU took the lead at 17-14, but an Air Force triple tied the back-and-forth contest at 17-all to close the first.

The Falcons retook the lead to open the second, 21-17. Destyne Jackson brought the Owls back within two at 21-17 at the 7:40-minute mark. Air Force capitalized on numerous FAU errors as the Falcons went on a 13-4 run to hold a 13-point lead with 2:37 to go in the half. Air Force maintained its 13-point lead through the final minutes of the opening half until Jess Moors knocked down her first triple of the day to cut the deficit to 10 before the break at 36-26.

The Owls refocused at the half, turning the tide in the third period. Capitalizing on numerous Air Force turnovers, FAU produced a dominant 19-7 run, capped off by a triple from Madi Gewirtz, to retake the lead 45-43. Zahira Arizmendi hit her first triple of the day to extend the Owls' lead to five, 50-45, but the Falcons closed the quarter with a three to cut the Owls' lead to 55-53.

A pair of Air Force free throws tied things up at 55 to open the fourth, but the Owls responded with a 9-2 run to build their lead back to seven, 64-57, with 5:35 to play. The Falcons went on another run, outscoring the Owls 8-4, cutting the lead to three, 68-65, with just under three minutes to play. However, a layup from Moors and back-to-back free throws from Haley Walker and Moors pushed the Owls' lead back to eight, 74-66, with 24 seconds remaining. The Owls maintained their advantage, but a late Air Force triple closed out the 76-71 contest in favor of the Owls.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH LEANN FREELAND
"I felt like we fought really hard to get back in the game. We started out extremely flat, which I believe is due to the physicality of the game on Monday, so we had to get refocused at half. Our full-court pressure definitely got us back in the game and enabled us to force the turnovers we needed to score some easy buckets.

NOTES AND TEAM STATS

Three Owls finished in double figures in the win. Moors led the way for the Owls with a team-high 15 points, shooting 57 percent (4-of-7) from the field, 50 percent (1-of-2) from 3-point range, and going a perfect 100 percent (6-of-6) at the line. Moors also dished out a team-best three assists and collected three steals and a board in the win.
Jackson and Onugha rounded out the Owls' double-figure scorers, tallying 14 points apiece.
Onugha finished with a team-leading seven boards and added a block in the contest.
The Owls had a strong second-half performance, outscoring the Falcons 40-35 in the final two periods.
FAU outshot Air Force at all three levels, outpacing the Falcons from the field, 59.6 to 44.6 percent, from beyond the arc, 50 to 42.1 percent, and at the line, 78.9 to 76.5 percent.
The Owls also outrebounded the Falcons, holding a 29-23 advantage on the glass.

UP NEXT
The Owls have a short turnaround as they get ready for a Friday matchup against the Wright State Raiders. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+ inside Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date with everything Florida Atlantic women's basketball, follow @FAUWBB_Hoops on X and @FAUWBB on Instagram, or like Florida Atlantic Women's Basketball on Facebook.

Florida Atlantic's 2025-26 season is sponsored by Flagler Credit Union.