FAU guard Kim Smith drains a three-pointer in the second-half of the Owls' 60-58 victory over Western Kentucky on Thursday at The Burrow. (Owl Access.com photo)
Topped them again
Florida Atlantic holds on to defeat the Hilltoppers 60-58 at The Burrow on Thursday to give the Owls coach Chancellor Dugan a victory over a team she said she hates.
Originally published on
1/25/2012
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON - Florida Atlantic coach Chancellor Dugan is very familiar with Western Kentucky from both when she was a player at Eastern Kentucky and now as the coach of the Owls.
Dugan didn't have much early success against the Hilltoppers as the Colonels were 7-1 in games she played in from 1978-82 and was winless in the first nine meetings against WKU as a head coach.
But lately, Dugan is on top of the hill. After Wednesday's 60-58 victory, FAU has now beaten the Hilltoppers the last two times they have played.
And beating her longtime rival was sweet for Dugan.
“I have a lot of hate toward Western Kentucky,” Dugan said. “It goes back to when I played them at Eastern Kentucky and we were big (Ohio Valley Conference) rivals. I have hated them for most of my life. Anytime you can get a win over them is sweet. I will sleep well tonight.”
Perhaps more importantly it was FAU's third consecutive victory, but the game was up for grabs and tied at 58 until FAU forward April Goins hit two free-throws with six seconds remaining to put the Owls (11-8, 6-2 Sun Belt Conference) up for good.
“I actually just stepped to the line and relaxed and took a deep breath,” said Goins, who had 11 points.
After Goin's free-throws, FAU's defense clamped down and the Hilltoppers (6-14, 3-5) couldn't get a clean shot off before the buzzer sounded.
Much like it did in FAU's 50-49 victory over FIU Saturday, the defense held late in the game as the Hilltoppers were held without a field goal for the final 2:54 of the game.
“It gives them confidence and me confidence that we can get stops when we really need them,” Dugan said.
The Owls were led by Chenise Miller's 18 points and 12 rebounds, her second-career double-double.