Owls Win by 40 in Conference Opener

Wednesday, December 31

Boca Raton, Fla.

1 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

9-5,1-0American

110

UTSA

4-9,0-1American

UTSA

Fla. Atlantic

110

Photo by: Ryan Tran

12/31/2025 4:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic men's basketball team's third year of American Conference play began with a 110-70 rout over UTSA on Wednesday afternoon at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

With their largest margin of victory in a conference game since 2021 and largest as a member of the American, the Owls (9-5, 1-0) delivered the blowout victory over the Roadrunners (4-9, 0-1) behind 18 three-pointers on offense and holding their foes to 31% shooting from the field.

FIRST HALF
Sophomore guard Isaiah Elohim opened scoring for the Owls with two buckets. FAU took the lead off back-to-back scores from redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool, sparking a 21-0 run and a 23-5 advantage. Florida Atlantic converted 10 of its first 12 shots while holding UTSA to just two makes on its first 18 attempts.

The Owls went up 29-7, with Vanterpool the first to reach double figures in points. Junior guard Kanaan Carlyle followed up soon after with two consecutive three-pointers. The lead grew to 60-25 on a run led by Vanterpool's fourth three-pointer of the half and a triple from junior forward Xander Pintelon.

Florida Atlantic entered the locker room with a 60-28 lead, its most points in a half against a Division I opponent since February 3, 2024.

SECOND HALF
Vanterpool tied his collegiate career high with his fifth triple in the opening minutes. The shots from beyond the arc continued to fall for the Owls, keyed by Max Langenfeld. The redshirt freshman guard made four of his five attempts in 10 minutes of action.

The Owls did not allow the Roadrunners to convert a field goal in the final three minutes. On the offensive end, a layup from redshirt freshman guard Amar Amkou gave Florida Atlantic the century mark for the third time in five games and for the third straight game at the Elly.

After building a lead as large as 41, redshirt freshman guard Liam Dayco-Green converted a triple in the final minute to put 110 on the board and seal the 40-point victory.

PRESS CONFERENCE

STATS & NOTES

Florida Atlantic moves to 5-1 at home games this season, averaging 97.3 points per game in the five victories.
18 triples are the most by the team in a game since December 3, 2020.
Six Owls scored in double figures, led by Vanterpool with 21 for his fifth 20+ outing of the season.
With 16 points, Elohim ties his career high and extends his double-digit scoring streak to six games.
In addition to his season-high 12 points, Moretti dished out eight assists, tying his career high and the most by an Owl on the season.
The Owls won the rebound margin 47-29, points in the paint 38-20, and fastbreak points 31-15.

UP NEXT
As part of a two-game road trip, the Owls will first head to New Orleans for a matchup versus Tulane on Sunday, Jan. 4. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. ET 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.