FAU returns to winning column after beating SMU 80-70
FAU beat SMU 80-70 for the first time in their history
Gasner Delvarin Jr.
February 23, 2024
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Florida Atlantic Owls (21-6, 11-3 AAC) defeated SMU Mustangs (19-7, 10-4 AAC), 80-70, to return in the winning column at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on Thursday night.
The Owls had three players in double-digits scoring. The junior center Vladislav Goldin scored 21 points, and junior guard Alijah Martin added 20 as the two combined for 12 rebounds, while Johnell Davis dropped 10 points and 5 rebounds.
The game started with SMU missing two three-pointers in the opening seconds from Zhuric Phelps and Chuck Harris, which led to a Goldin's dunk, getting FAU on the board.
Both teams keep the match engaging, but FAU provided some highlights with Martin taking off for the ESPN Sportscenter #1 dunk of the night on Emory Lanier. Martin netted the free throw for the three-point play and untied the game at 27-26.
FAU entered the locker room with a small margin score of 41-37 lead after Giancarlo Rosado completed a three-point play.
The Owls came out the second half banging a three-pointer with Martin and Goldin's knocking down free throws, blocking, and dunking his way to 20-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.
The Mustangs had trouble scoring and were held to 32% from the field despite 15 points apiece for the game from Chuck Harris and Zhuric Phelps, while Keon Ambrose-Hylton put up 11 points.
Meanwhile, the Owls pushed their lead by 13 points and closed the game on the score of 80-70, ending the Mustangs' six-game winning streak.
FAU will head to Memphis on Sunday, Feb. 25, tipping off at 2 p.m. EST., airing on ESPN.
Alijah Martin, Johnell Davis, FAU, Giancarlo Rosado, Sports, Vladislav Goldin, Gasner Delvarin Jr.