SPORTS

Before the game even began against Troy, FAU celebrated the duration of Justin Davis’ and Brett Royster’s careers as it was the last home game for seniors.

At halftime, FAU unveiled a new mascot, complete with a redone costume.

And after the game, after fans serenaded Troy University players with “Na, Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Goodbye”, the Owls celebrated once more.

Fans ran onto the court to ring the victory bell as FAU trounced Troy 77-60 and ensured itself a bid in post-season play.

“I think this might be the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, by far,” said senior Brett Royster. “We’ve come a long way. This season’s been special from beginning to end and obviously it’s not over yet but for it to end on our home court like this is a special moment for all of us.”

The win grants FAU a spot in the NIT tournament should the Owls falter in Hot Springs, Arkansas next week in the Sun Belt Conference tournament, a tournament in which FAU will have a bye week, and the best record.

“To win the Sun Belt Championship as a sophomore, I guess, would be expecting a lot from here on out,” said sophomore guard Ray Taylor “but it’s just tremendous to know all the hard work has paid off. When you lace ‘em up, the first goal is win the conference.”

The game was never close, with FAU landing 9 three pointers, including 4 from Shavar Richardson, making his first start of the season.

Richardson rewarded head coach Mike Jarvis’s decision to start him with a career-high 19 points.

Early in the game Taylor found a cutting Pablo Bertone who made a difficult reverse layup before tumbling into a group of FAU cheerleaders, making the score 26-13 with under 6 minutes to play in the first half.

In a night filled with celebrations and the end of Brett Royster’s career in Boca Raton, Royster could remember little.

“Everything was just a blur. I kept having Ray all over me, hugging me,” said Royster.