Owls Beat Shockers by Double-Digits, Move to Top of American

Thursday, January 15

Boca Raton, Fla.

9 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

12-6,4-1American

Wichita State

10-8,2-3American

Wichita St.

Fla. Atlantic

Owls Beat Shockers by Double-Digits, Move to Top of American

1/16/2026 12:29:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic men's basketball team picked up its third straight win on Thursday night, defeating Wichita State by a score of 85-67 at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

In another wire-to-wire victory, the Owls (12-6, 4-1) were led by a career-high 18 points from sophomore guard Isaiah Elohim as well as redshirt sophomore forward Devin Williams' first career double-double with career highs in both points (14) and rebounds (10). The team put together an efficient performance on both ends of the court, shooting over 55% from the field while holding the Shockers (10-8, 2-3) to under 40%.

The Owls are now the first team in the American Conference to reach four wins in league play.

FIRST HALF
Back-to-back buckets from junior guard Kanaan Carlyle, the reigning American Conference Player of the Week, opened scoring as the Owls jumped out to a 10-2 lead. A strong start from Elohim saw him convert his first six shot attempts for a total of 15 points.

The defense held firm, limiting the Shockers to just 33.3% from the field. Florida Atlantic's lead grew to double-digits following consecutive slam dunks and was up by as much as 14 before a late Shockers score ended the half at 37-25.

SECOND HALF
Florida Atlantic's lead grew to 20 off eight straight points from junior forward Xander Pintelon, while the defense held the Shockers without a field goal for five straight minutes.

A 12-2 Owl run in just over a minute broke the game open, putting FAU up 62-34. The Owls made nine of their first 12 shot attempts in the period and built a lead that stretched to as high as 29.

PRESS CONFERENCE

STATS & NOTES

Elohim finished with 18 points on seven-for-eight shooting from the field.
Carlyle tied for the team lead with 18 of his own.
Williams broke his previous career high of eight rebounds with nine in the first half alone. Entering the night ranked No. 2 in the nation in blocks, he added two in the first four minutes and finished with three.
Pintelon has scored 22 points in the second half over the last two games. He also set his collegiate career high with four blocks.
Redshirt junior guard Niccolo Moretti had an active game with eight assists and three steals.
The Owls dished out 20 assists to the Shockers' 10.
On the season, Florida Atlantic moves to 8-1 when playing at the Elly and has scored 80+ points in each of those wins. The Owls' average margin of victory at home games this season has been 26.1 points.

UP NEXT
The Owls will make a trip to Philadelphia to play Temple, currently tied for second in the American standings, on Sunday, Jan. 18. Tip-off is at noon on ESPNU.

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.