Owls Edge Out Shockers in a Close Encounter at Charles Koch Arena
In a tightly contested matchup, the Florida Atlantic Owls emerged victorious over the Wichita State Shockers with a final score of 63-56. The Owls now hold an improved record, while the Shockers face another setback in their season tally.
The game at Charles Koch Arena saw the Owls take an early lead, scoring 18 points to the Shockers' 14 in the first quarter. Maintaining their momentum, they added another 16 points before halftime. The third quarter witnessed a slight dip with only 13 points scored by the Owls but they managed to close out strong with another 16-point performance in the fourth quarter.
The Florida Atlantic team showcased solid offensive tactics throughout the game. They shot at an impressive field goal percentage of forty-four and were particularly effective from two-point range, hitting forty-nine percent of those attempts. Their prowess inside was evident as they racked up thirty-two points in paint.
Defensively, FAU was just as formidable; they grabbed thirty-four total rebounds and executed six steals which contributed to fifteen points off turnovers. The team's defensive efforts were further highlighted by two blocks that helped keep Wichita State at bay.
One area where FAU excelled was capitalizing on fast-break opportunities, scoring six fast break points which added to their dynamic offensive display. They also made eleven free throws out of seventeen attempts for a sixty-five percent completion rate and connected on six three-point shots for thirty-five percent accuracy from beyond the arc.
On individual performances, every player who stepped onto the court contributed valuably to this win for FAU with twelve assists reflecting good ball distribution among teammates.
Meanwhile, despite falling short on this occasion, Wichita State put up a resilient fight against their opponents. They managed four blocks and matched FAU's steal count with six but struggled from three-point territory making only twenty-two percent of those shots. Their free throw percentage stood at fifty-two which may have cost them crucial points during key moments of play.
As fans look forward to more action-packed games from Florida Atlantic Owls basketball team can mark their calendars for January 31st when they will face off against UAB Blazers at Bartow Arena in Birmingham AL starting at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (6:00 PM Central). This upcoming contest promises to be another exciting chapter in FAU's season and fans can catch all live action as it unfolds on designated sports networks or streaming platforms.