Post by fiulatinpower on Mar 2, 2008 10:34:41 GMT -5
Palm Beach post article...
www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/03/02/a16b_fau_0302.html
FAU loses, will meet FIU in conference tourney opener
By MARCUS NELSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 02, 2008
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic still had plenty to play for in its final regular-season game Saturday against Western Kentucky.
Unfortunately for the Owls, so did the Hilltoppers.
With Western Kentucky still in the hunt for the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title and FAU battling for a better seed in the conference tournament, the Hilltoppers proved why they are considered one of the Sun Belt's top teams, beating the Owls 88-78 at FAU Arena.
"It was disappointing," FAU coach Rex Walters said. "I have to do a better job of toughening our guys up. Either they are going to do it and we are going to be successful or the season is going to end on Wednesday."
FAU (14-17, 8-10 Sun Belt) already had clinched a home game in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament, but the loss gives FAU the No. 7 seed and a matchup Wednesday against 10th-seeded FIU.
"We haven't had a lot of success against FIU so it's going to come down to execution," Walters said
FAU is 0-2 against the Golden Panthers (9-19, 6-12) this season.
"We'll be ready to play," guard Carderro Nwoji said. "We have to get our head right and right now we are playing pretty good.
The Owls lost to Western Kentucky 82-60 last month, but this time around hung around until late in the second half.
"They are better," Hilltoppers coach Darrin Horn said. "They have done this two years in a row that Rex has his teams playing completely different late in the season."
Junior guard Paul Graham led FAU with 17 points in a reserve role.
FAU led 58-57 with 14 minutes left before Western Kentucky (24-6, 16-2) scored seven consecutive points, including a three-pointer by guard A.J. Slaughter after an offensive rebound, and the Owls never recovered.
"We just wanted to win and make a statement for the tournament," Nwoji said. "We had a good chance, but just had some key turnovers, missed boxouts and missed free throws. Things like that change the game."
Western Kentucky, which finished tied for the best record in the conference with South Alabama, but lost the No. 1 seed on a tiebreaker, led 47-44 at halftime. It briefly looked as if the lead would be bigger going into the half after Hilltoppers guard Tyrone Brazelton made an 85-foot shot.
With the game being televised, officials were able to consult a replay which showed the ball still in Brazelton's hand when the horn sounded, and the basket was waved off.
Go FIU!
www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/03/02/a16b_fau_0302.html
FAU loses, will meet FIU in conference tourney opener
By MARCUS NELSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 02, 2008
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic still had plenty to play for in its final regular-season game Saturday against Western Kentucky.
Unfortunately for the Owls, so did the Hilltoppers.
With Western Kentucky still in the hunt for the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title and FAU battling for a better seed in the conference tournament, the Hilltoppers proved why they are considered one of the Sun Belt's top teams, beating the Owls 88-78 at FAU Arena.
"It was disappointing," FAU coach Rex Walters said. "I have to do a better job of toughening our guys up. Either they are going to do it and we are going to be successful or the season is going to end on Wednesday."
FAU (14-17, 8-10 Sun Belt) already had clinched a home game in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament, but the loss gives FAU the No. 7 seed and a matchup Wednesday against 10th-seeded FIU.
"We haven't had a lot of success against FIU so it's going to come down to execution," Walters said
FAU is 0-2 against the Golden Panthers (9-19, 6-12) this season.
"We'll be ready to play," guard Carderro Nwoji said. "We have to get our head right and right now we are playing pretty good.
The Owls lost to Western Kentucky 82-60 last month, but this time around hung around until late in the second half.
"They are better," Hilltoppers coach Darrin Horn said. "They have done this two years in a row that Rex has his teams playing completely different late in the season."
Junior guard Paul Graham led FAU with 17 points in a reserve role.
FAU led 58-57 with 14 minutes left before Western Kentucky (24-6, 16-2) scored seven consecutive points, including a three-pointer by guard A.J. Slaughter after an offensive rebound, and the Owls never recovered.
"We just wanted to win and make a statement for the tournament," Nwoji said. "We had a good chance, but just had some key turnovers, missed boxouts and missed free throws. Things like that change the game."
Western Kentucky, which finished tied for the best record in the conference with South Alabama, but lost the No. 1 seed on a tiebreaker, led 47-44 at halftime. It briefly looked as if the lead would be bigger going into the half after Hilltoppers guard Tyrone Brazelton made an 85-foot shot.
With the game being televised, officials were able to consult a replay which showed the ball still in Brazelton's hand when the horn sounded, and the basket was waved off.
Go FIU!
