Despite starting out strong, FAU lost its second straight game, this time a 77-54 loss in Kansas to the 14 Jayhawks in front of 16,300 fans at the Phog Allen Field House.
“The kids played hard,”said head coach Mike Jarvis on ESPN 760 after the game. “It wasn’t that they didn’t try.”
FAU guard Pablo Bertone had an assist, drew a charge, and made a jumper on subsequent possessions early as the Owls got out to a quick 9-3 run four minutes into the first half. Bertone recorded the first double-double of his career, with 17 points and 12 rebounds, to go along with two blocks and three steals.
“This was his kind of game,” said Jarvis on ESPN 760. “He was able to beat his man off the dribble. Thank God for Pablo tonight.”
The game was tied 14-14 with 11 minutes left in the first half, before the Jayhawks used a 22-7 scoring run to put the Owls away for good.
The late first half run by Kansas would prove to be the difference as Jayhawks reserve guard Conner Teahan buried all three of his 3-pointers in the first half. The Owls closed the lead to 13 points late in the second half with a three by Ray Taylor, making the score 60-47.
FAU forced Kansas into 17 turnovers, with seven from Jayhawks guard Elijah Johnson. Yet a balanced Kansas scoring attack, led by forward Thomas Robinson, who had 19 points and 17 rebounds, were too much for the Owls to overcome.
Poor outside shooting plagued the Owls. FAU finished 4 of 17 on its three point attempts. FAU did not fare much better from the foul line, as it shot 8 of 19 on free throws.
The size of the Jayhawks caused problems for the Owls all night, as FAU was blocked 13 times and was out rebounded by 19. The lack of rebounds was confounding to Coach Jarvis, who felt his team was not fundamentally sound.
“I’m disappointed we couldn’t rebound,” said Jarvis to ESPN 760. “Size is one thing, (getting) position is another.”
Guard Greg Gantt, still bothered by a twisted ankle sustained in practice before FAU’s last game, was held to two points on 1 of 4 shooting in 15 minutes. Guard Dennis Mavin provided 17 points, four rebounds, and three steals off the bench to keep the deficit respectable in the second half.
Coach Jarvis sees a positive aspect from the game, even in defeat.
“We had a chance here in Kansas, there are a lot of lessons to be learned as you try and build a basketball program from the inside out,” said Coach Jarvis afterwards on ESPN 760.
