Florida Atlantic Owls Edge Past Rice Owls in a Close Encounter at Boca Raton

In a tightly contested game that saw both teams exchanging leads, the Florida Atlantic Owls managed to secure a narrow victory over the Rice Owls with a final score of 75-73. This win improves the Florida Atlantic Owls' season record, showcasing their resilience and ability to clutch crucial points towards the game's end. The Rice Owls, despite their valiant effort and leading by as much as 16 points at one stage, could not maintain their momentum, ultimately falling short.

Key Performances on Both Sides

The Florida Atlantic team showcased a balanced attack with significant contributions from several players. Tre Carroll stood out with an impressive performance, scoring 17 points alongside nine rebounds and five assists. His efficiency on the court was paramount to the team's success. KyKy Tandy also made notable contributions with 13 points and two steals, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.

On defense, Baba Miller was instrumental for Florida Atlantic with three blocks and nine rebounds, significantly impacting Rice's offensive strategies. Niccolo Moretti’s all-around play facilitated the team’s offense smoothly with six points and five assists.

For Rice Owls, their shooting from beyond the arc kept them in contention throughout the game. They managed an impressive 52 percent from three-point range but struggled inside the paint compared to Florida Atlantic who capitalized on second-chance opportunities amassing 19 second-chance points thanks to their offensive rebounding efforts.

Strategic Plays Making The Difference

The game was characterized by its physicality and strategic plays from both teams. The Florida Atlantic Owls excelled in converting turnovers into valuable points offensively while maintaining solid defense that limited Rice's opportunities in key moments of the match. Their ability to dominate inside scoring 40 points in paint against Rice’s 20 was crucial for securing this win.

Furthermore, efficient free-throw shooting played a vital role for Florida Atlantic down the stretch; they hit critical free throws making up for lower three-point shooting percentages compared to Rice.

Looking ahead, fans can catch more action as Florida Atlantic travels to face North Texas Mean Green at UNT Coliseum in Denton on January 26th at 2:00 PM EDT broadcasted on ESPNU. This upcoming matchup promises another exciting display of college basketball where fans will eagerly anticipate whether Florida Atlantic can continue their winning ways or if North Texas will halt their progress.

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