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Dimuntive freshman guard Ray Taylor provided a double-double in the Owls season-opening victory over Florida Tech. (Photo by Ralph Notaro)

Ray of hope

Freshman guard Ray Taylor’s double-double performance leads FAU to 86-63 season-opening victory over Florida Tech on Friday.

Originally published on 11/13/2009

by Marcus Nelson

Highlights: FAU's season-opening victory vs. Florida Tech (2:00)
> Photo Gallery: Shots from FAU basketball's season opener
> Audio: Taylor, Richardson, Jarvis post-game(8:57)

BOCA RATON – Playing in his first career game, FAU freshman guard Ray Taylor looked at ease Friday in the Owls’ season-opening 86-63 victory over Florida Tech on Friday.

Not only did Taylor lead FAU in scoring with 17 points and assists with 10, but the 5-foot-6 Taylor also led the Owls with seven rebounds.

“It was a good performance,” Taylor said. “It was a lot more comfortable. I just had to get the feel of the collegiate game.”

Taylor’s 10 assists were just one of the school record of 11 held by four players, most recenty twice by Alex Tucker.

“Ray is really good,” said FAU coach Mike Jarvis. “Ray could be on any team in the country, bar none, and he would start for most of them and he would be on the court a lot for any of them.”

In all, five FAU players scored in double figures including another freshman seeing his first college action – Greg Gantt, who had 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

The Owls led by as many as 33 points in the second half as they won the second consecutive opener under Jarvis.

“I was nervous last year,” said FAU guard Shavar Richardson, who added 14 points for FAU. “This year it was just like a basketball game for us. It was more fun.”