The Florida Atlantic University Owls (8-12, 1-9 in Conference USA) lost to the University of Texas San Antonio Roadrunners with a final score of 74-59.

During the first half, the Owls did not defend the ball well. The Roadrunners had 18 points in the paint in the first period led by UTSA senior center Kaj-Bjorn Sherman who scored 15 points during the first half.

The Owls had five scorers in the first period with the score at 30-28 in favor of UTSA at the end of the half.

The Roadrunners (12-10, 6-5 in the Conference USA) had 24 rebounds in the first half, while the Owls only grabbed 14. Senior UTSA forward Jeromie Hill had nine of the 24 rebounds in the first period.

“The physically pushed us around. On the inside, as well as the perimeter,” head coach Michael Curry said.

Throughout the game UTSA rebounded well, grabbing 53 total rebounds while out-rebounding the Owls by 25, 53-28.

The Owls failed to rebound the ball offensively allowing UTSA to get 19 second-chance points in the paint.

“We have got to be better defensively, and we have to be bigger on the perimeter. Shots in the paint are very important,”Curry said.

FAU got into foul trouble and accumulated 28 personal fouls, allowing the Roadrunners to attempt 44 free throws. They made 31 of them while FAU only attempted 12.

Sophomore guard Marquan Botley led the Owls in scoring with a total of 19 points, shooting 6-for-14 from the field.

This is the Owls’ fifth straight loss and their ninth loss in Conference USA.

Up next for the Owls is a road game against Louisiana Tech on Feb. 12.