Florida Atlantic University recently issued the following announcement.
The Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team had a furious comeback against James Madison come up just short, falling 69-65 to the Dukes in Sunday's matinee affair on Abessinio Court inside FAU Arena.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Dusty May:
"Great college basketball game. Hats off to James Madison, they had some guys come in and make big shots, make timely shots. Came up with a couple of offensive rebounds, loose balls, turned us over in transition a few times, and just made enough plays to win. Hard-fought game, we've just got to defend the three a lot better, and just figure out a way to make a few more plays here and there to get over the hump."
THE BEGINNING
Midway through the first half, FAU (3-4) trailed by nine at 21-12, but Bryan Greenlee's back-to-back 3-pointers cut it to a three-point game. JMU (6-2) once again went back up by nine with 3:12 to go, 31-22; this time the Owls scored eight in a row, all by Michael Forrest (a layup sandwiched in between two triples). The Dukes responded with a '3' of their own, with Giancarlo Rosado making one of two free throws in the final seconds for a three-point halftime deficit, 34-31.
THE TURNING POINT
The Owls outscored the Dukes 10-5 to start the second, which included two 3-pointers by Alijah Martin, but then JMU scored 18 of the game's next 22 to go up a dozen at 8:03 (57-45).
THE FINISH
Out of the under-eight timeout, Forrest made back-to-back threes, and Martin followed suit for nine in a row. Suddenly, the 12-point JMU lead shrunk to three in just 1:17 of gametime. A Johnell Davis lay-in cut it to one, but the Dukes hit threes on consecutive possessions. A Davis bucket and free throw made it 63-61 with exactly two minutes left.
However, that would be the last Owl scoring until six seconds remaining (four of six JMU free throws made it 67-61 in the meantime). At that point, Greenlee made one free throw, missed the second intentionally, and he tipped the rebound to Martin, who buried a left wing 3. With 2.5 to go, the Owls trailed by just two, 67-65, but JMU made two more from the charity stripe to seal it.
OWL THE STATS
- Forrest led the way with 18 points, making four 3-pointers (hitting that mark or better for the fifth time this year)
- He was joined in double digits by Martin and Rosado with a dozen apiece, and Greenlee's 10
- At the half, those three had scored 27 of the Owls' 31 – Forrest had 10 at that point, Greenlee nine and Rosado eight
- Martin and Rosado also paced the squad with five boards apiece
- Martin also tied for the team lead with four assists, alongside Greenlee
The Owls will have two home games this upcoming week, Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against Stetson, and next Sunday, Dec. 5, versus North Florida. For tickets, click HERE or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
Original source can be found here.
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