Final Two Home Games for Owls’ Non-Conference Schedule

Wednesday, December 10

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

Saint Leo

Photo by: Dylan Heinen

12/9/2025 5:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic men's basketball team will host two games at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, first against Saint Leo on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. followed by Albany on Saturday at noon. Both games will be on ESPN+ and can be heard on Fox Sports 640 South Florida.

Wednesday's matchup between the Owls (6-3) and the Lions (4-4), sponsored by Ideal Nutrition, will be the fourth annual Boca Raton MegaBowl, inspired by the movie Semi-Pro. A 12-foot trophy will be presented to the winners.

Saturday against the Great Danes (3-7) will mark Campers Day, with the Owls inviting John Jakus' summer youth camp attendees back to Paradise. Campers should click here for information on claiming a limited number of discounted tickets. Holiday-themed celebrations are also planned for this Holiday Hoots game, with fans encouraged to donate unwrapped toys that will be distributed to local charities.

The two games will conclude the Owls' non-conference home slate, in which the Owls have posted a record of 3-1 when playing in Paradise.

LAST TIME OUT
On Sunday, Dec. 7, Florida Atlantic rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat Florida Gulf Coast on the road by a score of 81-76. The duo of redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool and freshman Josiah Parker combined for 23 of the team's final 30 points. Vanterpool led the team with 24 points on the afternoon and eight rebounds, while Parker had his breakout game on his 19th birthday, scoring 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting, all in the final 11 minutes. For their efforts, Vanterpool received an honorable mention from the American Conference, and Parker earned Freshman of the Week.

ABOUT THE OWLS

Jakus is in his second season at the helm of the program. In his debut campaign in 2024-25, he was a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, given to the nation's top first-year head coach. Under Jakus' watch, the Owls participated in their fourth straight year of postseason play, selected to the 2025 National Invitational Tournament.
FAU boasts eight international players. In total, the Owls are represented by seven different countries: the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Senegal, and France.
Vanterpool has had a career-best start to the season, leading FAU in points per game (17.0), rebounds per game (7.3), assists (28), and steals (16). Against Coastal Georgia, he scored 30 points, the first Owl since Johnell Davis in January of 2024.
Junior guard Kanaan Carlyle reached the 20+ point mark in three consecutive games, the first Florida Atlantic player to do so since Vlad Goldin in March of 2024. He is second on the team in points per game at 15.6 and ties for the lead in assists.
As a team, the Owls are tied for eighth in the nation in blocks per game (6.3). Leading the category individually is redshirt sophomore forward Devin Williams at 3.0 per game. He ranks No. 4 nationwide and has recorded at least three in six straight games.
Parker was named the American Conference's Preseason Freshman of the Year.
Florida Atlantic was ranked sixth in the American's preseason poll.

ABOUT THE LIONS

Head Coach Spencer Henke is in his first full season after serving as the interim in 2024-25.
The Lions have five scorers averaging double-figure points, led by sophomore guard Camden Cerese with 17 points per game.
Following closely behind is senior forward Donovan Hill at 16.8. Hill also leads the team with 9.9 rebounds per game and 26 assists.
Junior guard Luther Smith Jr. provided a spark off the bench with 11.1 points per game.
The Owls and the Lions most recently met in an exhibition on October 26, 2024, with FAU winning 104-53.

ABOUT THE GREAT DANES

The Great Danes are led by Head Coach Dwayne Killings in his fifth season.
Sophomore guard Amir Lindsey leads Albany in both scoring (14.7 points per game) and assists (37).
Junior guard Jaden Kempson has recorded 21 steals, 39th most in the nation.
Albany has strong perimeter defense, ranking in the top 75 nationally in three-point percentage defense. They hold the offense to 29.8% shooting beyond the arc.
The Owls and the Great Danes have met twice in program history, last occurring in 2022. FAU has won both prior matchups.

UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will make a trip to California to face Saint Mary's on Friday, Dec. 19. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

SCHEDULE
Click here for the 2025-26 schedule.

ROSTER
Click here for the full 2025-26 men's basketball roster.

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.