Women’s Basketball: Owls split weekend Thanksgiving tournament

Earn fourth straight win over Delaware State Friday, but take first loss against South Dakota Saturday.

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Senior guard Morgan Robinson defends Milwaukee guard Kelsey Cunningham during the Owls’ 71-67 win on Nov. 17. Max Jackson | Staff Photographer

Ryan Lynch, Sports Editor

Florida Atlantic women’s basketball continued its recent run of success during their annual Thanksgiving tournament, winning their first game before falling to tournament winner South Dakota in the final.

The Owls (4-1) also hosted Delaware State and Appalachian State, who they did not play after an 87-60 opening round loss to South Dakota.

Here’s what you need to know from this weekend:

Game One: FAU 83, Delaware State 55

The Owls were in control for most of the game Friday versus Delaware State, trailing for only one minute and 13 seconds.

Most of FAU’s points on the day came from 3-point shots, as they finished 14-of-31 from behind the arc. Junior forward Kat Wright went 4-of-5 from long range and finished with 18 points, a career high.

Sophomore guard Malia Kency finished with a team-high 19 points, shooting 6-of-8 from behind the arc.

After transferring from Broward College, redshirt sophomore guard Halee Davis made her debut as an Owl by scoring five points.

With the loss, Delaware State fell to 0-5 for the season. The win was the Owls’ fourth in a row to start the year.

Game Two: South Dakota 76, FAU 53

South Dakota started the game on an early 18-2 run, and the Owls were unable to draw close to the Coyotes at any point of the game for their first loss of the year.

Shooting was a major problem, with the teams combining to go 5-for-27 in the first half from the field.

Redshirt senior Ali Gorell scored a team-high 12 points, continuing her streak of five games with double-digit points. Guards Morgan Robinson and Malia Kency each had 10 points.

The Coyotes dominated the paint during the game, scoring 40 points and securing 61 rebounds — doubling the Owls’ total of 30. South Dakota has won three straight games.

Ryan Lynch is the sports editor of the University Press. For tips regarding this or other articles, he can be contacted at [email protected] or on Twitter.