Florida Atlantic Earns Season Sweep Against Temple

Thursday, February 26

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

16-13,8-8American

Temple

15-13,7-8American

Temple

Fla. Atlantic

2/26/2026 11:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: David Smolka

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Behind a stifling defensive second half performance, the Florida Atlantic men's basketball team fought back from a halftime deficit to defeat the Temple Owls 77-72 on Thursday evening on Abessinio Court inside Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.

The Owls of FAU (16-13, 8-8) earned the season sweep over the Temple Owls (15-13, 7-8) after a really strong defensive effort in the second half. After Temple connected on seven threes, shooting 63.6% in the first half, FAU held them to zero makes in the second.

FIRST HALF
FAU came out of the gates quickly, scoring on its first two offensive possessions with a jumper from freshman Josiah Parker, followed by a Kanaan Carlye three-pointer, taking an early 5-0 lead. The Temple Owls then began to find a rhythm of their own, going on an 11-0 run to take an early 18-11 lead.

After struggling to find a groove in the month of February, Xander Pintelon sparked the Owls off the bench with 8 points, going 2-for-3 from three.

FAU closed the half scoring three straight baskets, shrinking their deficit to six, entering halftime down 44-38.

SECOND HALF
The Owls came out of halftime firing on all cylinders, going on an 8-0 run, retaking the lead, 46-44.

Freshman guard Yohann Sissoko helped extend FAU's lead, scoring seven points in a little over a minute, to take a double-digit lead for the time on the evening.

Temple clawed their way back, and with 1:16 remaining, Derrian Ford finished a layup to retake the lead, 73-72. FAU responded with Carlyle earning a trip to the line, taking a one-point lead, before redshirt freshman Amar Amkou connected on an and-1, extending the lead to three. Florida Atlantic got the stop they needed defensively, finishing the game with a 77-73 win.

PRESS CONFERENCE

GALLERY

Gallery: (2-26-2026) MBB vs. Temple

STATS & NOTES

Carlyle led FAU with 22 points, going 7-for-15 from the field, shooting 40% from three.
Parker flirted with a double-double, finishing with nine points and 11 rebounds while being a +18 on the evening.
Sissoko's 10 points are the third time this season he has scored in double figures.
Niccolo Moretti led FAU with five assists, his third straight game with 5+ assists.
The Owls of FAU outscored the Temple Owls' bench 25 to 5.

UP NEXT
The Owls will be back on Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena for their final home game of the season, Sunday, Mar. 1, versus Charlotte at 2 p.m. on ESPN+. Florida Atlantic will be recognizing its five senior managers prior to tip.

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.