FAU Sports Brings in the New Year at the Burrow

The men's and women's basketball teams both played South Alabama on New Year's Day 2009.

Who ever scheduled these games had great manners because the lady's were first. The women defeated the Jaguars in dramatic fashion. The Lady Owls were down double digits in the first half, but came back to take a one point win.

A major difference in the game was at the free throw line where FAU (4-8, 1-1) was 16-21 and USA (11-3, 2-1) was a dismal 2-7. The result is surprising considering the disparity in the records.

The inspiring play of the women couldn't light a spark under the men's team, who lost to the Jaguars, and have now lost nine of their last 10.

It was FAU's first home loss of the season, and just their eighth in the last three years.

The major difference in the game was from beyond the arc where FAU (4-10,0-3) was just 2-13 and USA (9-5,2-1) was 6-13, including the Sun-Belt Conference scoring leader Domonic Tilford's 4-5 shooting from three point land.

The 5'10" senior point guard Tilford finished with a game high 27 points and taunted Owl fans with his ever present smile after each basket as some of the FAU faithful mocked his looks, calling him Sinbad.

Monroe scored 21 points in his first home game of the season, with Graham adding a team high 25 points.

Only seven Owls saw minutes in the game with more than a couple missing the game due to injury or personal issues.

Although FAU never led, they were down just one multiple times.

The Owls had possession down three with 32 seconds left in the game. Graham put up a three that missed, but FAU got the rebound. Nwoji followed up with a three point attempt with 4 seconds left that was blocked by Jaguars freshman CJ Garner, who then brought the ball down the length of the court to secure a 74-69 victory.

The next game isn't any easier for the men. They play Monday night at 7pm in Coral Gables against the University of Miami. The game will air on FSN and as always can be heard on 640 AM.

The women travel to play at conference opponent Troy on January 6 at 8pm for their next contest.