Stefan Moody scored a career high 26 points to help lead FAU past WKU on Thursday. (OwlAccess.com photo)
Two are the show
Gantt and Moody combine for 57 points to propel FAU past WKU 84-78.
Originally published on
2/14/2013
by
Chuck King
When Stefan Moody and Greg Gantt are both hitting, FAU can be tough to stop.
That's what Western Kentucky learned on Thursday night when the Owls defeated the Hilltoppers 84-78 at The Burrow.
Gantt scored 31 points – three shy of his career high - and Moody added a career high 26 points.
“We just ran the offense,” Gantt explained.
Moody scored 17 of his 26 in the second half and made some crucial free throws down the stretch.
“I saw (Moody) in warmups hit like seven in a row so I knew he was going to have a good night,” Gantt said.
Gantt and Moody weren't the only Owls with hot hands. In fact, Gantt's eight misfires accounted for nearly half of FAU's 18 missed shots on the night. The Owls' shot a season-high 59 percent on the night and the 84 points was FAU's second most on the season.
FAU (12-15, 7-9) drained nine of its 17 3-point attempts and 23 of 28 free throws on the night.
The Owls led by as many as 15 points in the second half before ball handling issues and errant passes allowed the Hilltoppers to creep within six in the final couple of minutes. FAU has suffered more than its share of late-game collapses this season, but the Owls hit five of their final six free throw attempts to close out the victory.
“They played a good game but I think we can play better,” FAU coach Mike Jarvis said.
George Fant scored 25 points to lead WKU (13-13, 7-8).
Game Browser: FAU 84, WKU 78
Moving forward: Pablo Bertone came off the bench to score 12 points and dole out 7 assists. ...Andre Mattison didn't score but he gave the Owls 15 solid minutes on the defensive end when the other FAU big men were in foul trouble.
Moving backward: Dragan Sekelja missed both his shots, turned the ball over three times and only managed 2 rebounds in 12 mintues. ...Kelvin Penn blocked three shots, but again he spent much of his time on the bench in foul trouble before ultimately fouling out.
Key stat: 19 turnovers by FAU – 6 of them in the closing minutes to keep WKU in the game.
Up next: FAU travels to the CajunDome to face Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday at 8:15 p.m.