Florida Atlantic men’s basketball (10-6, 2-1 AC) had never won an away game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham until Wednesday night, when the Owls led the entire game until a big run by UAB late in the second half and closed the game out late for a 76-71 victory.
Before this game, UAB had a 16-6 all-time series advantage against the Owls and was 9-0 at home. The teams were in Conference USA together before they both joined the American Athletic Conference, and they first played each other in 2008, extending 17 years of dominance for the Blazers at home.
“In the Tulane game, we were up four with a minute to go, and we didn’t close. We ended up switching the lineup, made free throws, and took care of the basketball a little bit more,” said FAU head coach John Jakus, thrilled with his team’s composure down the stretch, he explained in his postgame interview.
FAU shot 39% from the field and 28% from behind the arc. The Owls also outrebounded UAB 45-40, grabbed seven steals, and blocked four shots.
Guard Kanaan Carlyle led FAU’s scoring with 25 points, his highest-scoring game as an Owl, and stuffed the stat sheet with five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Caryle hit a huge 3-pointer late in the first half to put the Owls up 40-27, claiming a seven-point lead at halftime.
“I thought our guard play was excellent today, led by Kanaan. Really happy for him, it’s a blessing for him to be less than two hours from home,” said Jakus, proud of Caryle’s homecoming performance.
UAB went on a 20-9 run to begin the second half and took a 60-58 lead, but the Owls struck back with a Devin Vanterpol 3-pointer that put the Owls’ lead at 65-60, a lead they did not lose for the rest of the game.
Vanterpool punched in 19 points, seven rebounds and four steals, and guard Isaiah Elohim poured in 14 points. Carlyle, Vanterpool, Devin Williams and Elohim combined for 67 of the Owls’ 76 points, providing a three-headed monster for FAU’s scoring attack.
This is just going to be normal, so how can we handle those emotions, and were we better at it today? I think we’re gonna celebrate until midnight, and then get home to Boca and enjoy [ourselves].” Jakus said, regarding the team’s historic win.
FAU will return to action on Sunday, Jan. 11, against Memphis at 1 p.m. at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
“I want the Elly to be sold out, students come back for Monday, I hope they come back a day early, I know there’s gonna be a tailgate, I hope they have a good time at the tailgate and then come in. I love this team, I think the school should be there, and I’m really thrilled that we get a home game right as the students come home,” said Jakus.
Mikai Datilus is the Sports Editor for the FAU University Press. Email him at [email protected] or DM him on Instagram @mikaidat for more information on this and other stories.
