CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Florida Atlantic Owls dropped a 77-56 decision on the road at Charlotte on Tuesday at Halton Arena.
The Owls fall to 8-11 overall and 2-5 in American play, while Charlotte improves to 9-10 overall and 3-3 in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Charlotte scored four points to open the contest, but
Grace Carstensen got things started for the Owls, hitting her first triple of the day to make it a one-point game, 4-3. Carstensen connected on another triple to keep the game within a point at 7-6 through the 6:57-minute mark. The 49ers produced a 13-4 run to lead 20-10 late, but
Vivian Onugha scored the final bucket of the quarter to make it 20-12 after one.
The Owls opened the second on a 7-1 run, capped off by an and-1 from Onugha, to cut the deficit to three, 21-19, at the 7:22-minute mark of the second. Charlotte extended its lead back out to nine after a 12-5 run to hold the lead 33-24 with four minutes remaining in the first half. FAU got three back off a midrange jumper from Carstensen and another Onugha free throw, cutting the 49ers' advantage to six, 33-27. However, Charlotte scored three unanswered points to close the half as the Owls trailed by nine, 36-27, heading into the locker room.
Charlotte opened the third with eight unanswered points to push its lead out to 44-27 through the first two minutes of the quarter. The Owls battled back to cut the deficit to 12, 49-37, following a jumper from Carstensen. However, Charlotte led by 15, 54-39, entering the final 10 minutes of play.
The Owls just couldn't find a groove throughout the remainder of the contest as the 49ers eventually took the contest, 77-56.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
"Tough loss at Charlotte. I thought they played really well defensively, had a lot of intensity, and definitely took care of the boards. We just wore down towards the end. We just need to bounce back on Saturday against South Florida."
NOTES AND TEAM STATS
- Michiyah Simmons and Carstensen led the way for the Owls. Simmons finished with a team-best 16 points, while Carstensen finished with 13 points.
- Simmons also dished out a team-leading three assists.
- Jess Moors collected a team-best four steals, and Onugha pulled down a team-high six boards in the contest.
- The Owls outshot the 49ers 37.5 to 30 percent from beyond the arc.
- FAU also held an advantage off the bench, outscoring the 49ers' reserves, 25-19.
GALLERY
Gallery: (1-20-2026) WBB at Charlotte (Jan. 20)
UP NEXT
The Owls return to Paradise as they prepare to host the South Florida Bulls for their Alumni Game on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena and on ESPN+.
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