Owls lose close one, 58-57, to Louisiana-Lafayette

February 17, 2013

Owls guard Pablo Bertone trapped by a ULL defender. Bertone totaled 13 points in FAU's 58-57 loss. Photo courtesy of ULL Media Relations. — Owls guard Pablo Bertone trapped by a ULL defender. Bertone totaled
13 points in FAU’s 58-57 loss. Photo courtesy of ULL Media Relations.

It turns out neither FAU basketball team found much success against Louisiana-Lafayette.

The Owls dropped to 12-16 on the season with a close 58-57 road loss to the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Lady Owls were similarly defeated 72-57 earlier in the night.

FAU leading scorer Greg Gantt finished with 18 points (on 6-24 shooting) in a full 40 minutes of play.

Owls senior forward Jordan McCoy recorded eight points, and pulled down a season-high 17 rebounds (including eight offensive) and had three assists.

“He is playing like a beast,” said Owls assistant coach Mike Jarvis II. “I am so happy for him and how he is finishing off his career at FAU.”

Also turning in a solid outing was guard Pablo Bertone, who totaled 13 points in 33 minutes, mostly off the bench.

FAU scored a lackluster 22 first half points, but upped their game in the second half by outscoring ULL 35-27.

FAU leading scorer Greg Gantt attempting to juke the Ragin' Cajuns. Gantt had a team-high 18 points in the 58-57 loss. Photo courtesy of ULL Media Relations. — FAU leading scorer Greg Gantt attempting to juke the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Gantt had a team-high 18 points in the 58-57 loss. Photo courtesy of
ULL Media Relations.

Several statistics point to the reason why the Owls lost. They shot just 35 percent (21 of 60) from the field, 23 percent from beyond the arc (3 of 13), and hit on only 12 of 21 free throws.

Also, several FAU starters displayed a lack of production. Starting forward Kelvin Penn had no points. Starting guard Richard Morrow had two. Starting guard Stefan Moody had a down game with seven points on 3 of 11 shooting.

Even though the Owls outrebounded their opponent and played relatively mistake-free basketball, the first half ultimately led to their demise.

FAU’s loss was its fourth in its last five contests. Their season record plummeted to 12-16 and Sun Belt Conference mark fell to 7-10.

“We played a great second half,” Jarvis II said. “But did not finish it off.”

The Owls play at North Texas on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.