Five Owls scored in double figures, standing up to the pressure to secure a 72-69 victory over the Monmouth University Hawks in new head coach Mike Jarvis’ first regular season game since December 2003.
The Owls were without senior All-American Carlos Monroe.
Monroe, who is FAU’s all time leading rebounder and the team’s leading scorer, was ineligible because of an issue that arose early in the spring semester of 2008. Jarvis, who would not comment on why Monroe has become ineligible, found out yesterday that it was possible that Monroe would not play, and it was confirmed today. There is no timetable on when he will return.
“I hope it’s resolved very quickly so a fine special young man can play with his team. This is his team and he’s the heart and soul of the team,” says Jarvis. “I went to bed last night and I prayed, I prayed. I thought about how blessed I was and that no matter what happened, no matter what decision they came up with today, that it would work for me.”
And it did work, partly because Monroe’s teammate since 2005, Paul Graham III, had team highs with 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists in his absence.
“I was just trying to let the game come to me. I tried to get more rebounds like coach asked,” says Graham.
Freshman guard Shavar Richardson tied Graham with six rebounds, adding 10 points and three assists.
“I was anxious. Coach yelled at me because I didn’t take my first shot,” says Richardson.
The Owls went 15-of-18 from the free throw line, building a 14-point lead with 13:39 left in the game in front of 1,404, the largest non-conference crowd at FAU arena since Dec 3, 2002 versus the University of Miami.
FAU was leading 70-69 after Hawks guard R.J. Rutledge, who scored a team high 18 points, hit a three to bring the game within one with .nine seconds left on the clock.
Sophomore forward Xavier Perkins threw the ball into Graham, who held the ball for what looked to be a couple of seconds, before being fouled by guard James Hett of the Hawks.
After about a five minute discussion, the referees decided Graham will shoot two foul shots and .four seconds will be set to the clock.
Graham made both free throws, and then Perkins tipped the inbound pass, sealing the deal for the Owls.
Jarvis says college basketball is a game of swings, and is grateful for the big lead turning into a victory. It gets him one step closer to joining Lefty Drisel as the only two coaches in college basketball history with 100 wins at four different schools.
“I got game one and got 99 more to reach my goal,” says Jarvis.
FAU plays next at powerhouse Arizona on Monday Nov. 17 at 11 p.m. It will be televised on ESPNU.
