Fourth-Quarter Struggles Plague Owls in Loss to FIU

Monday, December 15

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

5-5,0-0American

FIU

5-3,0-0CUSA

FIU

Fla. Atlantic

12/15/2025 11:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic women's basketball team could not overcome fourth-quarter struggles, falling 80-63 against FIU on Monday at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

The Owls drop to 5-5 overall, and FIU moves to 5-3 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle through the 5:07-minute mark as the Owls held a close 11-10 advantage off Grace Carstensen's second triple of the day. FAU outscored FIU 12-6 over the remainder of the opening period as the Owls held a seven-point lead after the first, 23-16.

Vivian Onugha extended the Owls' advantage to nine, 25-16, to open the second. However, the Panthers scored 10 unanswered to quickly close the gap and take the lead, 26-25. Destyne Jackson tied things up at 27 all after knocking down a pair of free throws. The Owls then retook the lead, extending their advantage back to seven, 36-29, after a 9-2 run. Madi Gewirtz hit her only triple of the day to keep the Owls up by six, 41-35, with 26 seconds to go in the half, but FIU got the final score to make it a four-point game at the break, 41-37.

The third quarter was another back-and-forth battle between the Owls and Panthers. The Owls led 43-41 before the Panthers tied things up. FIU took the lead 46-43 off a 3-pointer from Judit Valero. The Owls kept things close, cutting the Panthers' lead to just one at the 1:02-minute mark, 53-52. FIU scored again with 18 seconds to play to push its lead back to three, 55-2. Carstensen hit a clutch buzzer-beater to close out the third and tie things up at 55 apiece entering the final 10 minutes of play.

The Owls kept things close through the 7:33 minute mark as Ineivi Plata connected on a pair of free throws to keep things within three, 61-58, but Rhema Collins' only 3-pointer of the day pushed the Panthers' lead back to six, 64-58, and sparked a smothering FIU run as the Panthers closed the contest on a 16-5 run to take the contest.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH LEANN FREELAND
"Overall, I thought we played hard. Unfortunately, FIU's intensity wore us down in the fourth quarter. We made some bad decisions offensively, which led to some easy buckets for them. Quite frankly, they hustle so much, and I feel like they get rewarded with some big plays just because they out-work teams. They do what they do well. They've got a deep bench, and they play hard together. We just need to get better and refocus for the two big games this weekend."

NOTES AND TEAM STATS

Onugha and Carstensen led the Owls in the contest, recording 18 and 12 points, respectively. Onugha shot 75% (9-of-12) from the field, to go along with five boards, a steal, and a block, while Carstensen shot 50% (4-of-8) from beyond the arc and added a steal against the Panters.
Simmons dished out a team-high four assists.
Moors led the Owls on the glass, collecting a team-leading six rebounds.
Gewirtz tallied a team-best two blocks in the contest.
The Owls started the game strong, outscoring the Panthers 23-16 in the first quarter.
FAU was also more efficient in its shooting, outpacing FIU 45.8 to 44.6 percent from the field, 36.4 to 31.6 percent from 3-point range, and 73.3 to 66.7 percent from behind the line.
The Owls' reserves also outpaced FIU's bench, outscoring the Panthers 28 to 19.

GALLERY

Gallery: (12-15-2025) WBB vs. FIU (Dec. 15)

UP NEXT
The Owls close out non-conference play this weekend as they compete in the FIU Christmas Tournament. FAU will open play on Friday, Dec. 19, as they face off against the UMass Minutewomen. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+ inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

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.