Monroe given a boot as Owls fall to Hilltoppers
Foot problem will keep Monroe on the bench for three weeks
Originally published on
1/12/2009
by
Chuck King
The loss Florida Atlantic suffered prior to its 78-57 defeat by Western Kentucky may prove to be the biggest blow in a season that has already experienced its share of body punches.
Pre-season All Sun Belt selection Carlos Monroe emerged from the locker room for pre-game warm-ups wearing a protective boot on his right foot. Monroe spent the entire game on the bench, where coach Mike Jarvis said he will remain for at least three weeks.
“He’s got a foot problem than can only be healed through total rest,” Jarvis said. “He’s been trying to play, basically, on one foot. It’s the reason why he hasn’t played well up until now. He’s trying to fight through and get through.”
The injury is just the latest setback for Monroe. He missed the first nine games because of eligibility problems. Monroe also missed Monday’s loss at Miami because of an academic issue.
So far this season Monroe has played in six games – all Owl losses.
FAU (4-13, 0-5 SBC) was also without former starter Xavier Perkins, who is academically ineligible, and Sanchez Hughley, who has yet to play this season because of health concerns.
On Saturday the understaffed Owls kept the game close early, leading by as many as nine points in the first half. Carderro Nwoji’s free throws brought the Owls within two points with 12 minutes remaining before the Owls wore down.
Western Kentucky (10-6, 4-1 SBC) outscored FAU 32-13 the rest of the way to win the game going away.
“We proved again tonight, just like we did against Kentucky, Miami, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama and for the first 20 minutes tonight, that we can play with anybody,” Jarvis said. “There is no team in the league that is overwhelmingly better before we are. That will be proved out, I hope, before the season is over when we have everybody back.”
Carderro led all scorers with 22 points. Reserve Alex Tucker (11 points) was the only other Owl to reach double figures.
“I just was trying to play within the offense,” Nwoji said, “but my main focus was trying to win. I thought my team needed me as a senior and as a leader.”
Four Western Kentucky players scored in double figures, led by guard Orlando Mendez-Valdez’s 21 points.
Florida Atlantic will attempt to break its current eight-game losing streak when it hosts Florida International on Thursday.
Box Score
Slam dunk: FAU stayed close early by hitting four 3-pointers, but only made one in the second half … Nwoji (9-of-17, 2-of-6 behind the arc), not Paul Graham, has become the Owls’ most consistent scoring threat. …Former marching band member Chris Coleman drew his first career start, scoring two points and grabbing two rebounds in nine minutes of play.
Off the rim: Nwoji drained nine field goals, the rest of the Owls combined for 11 more. … Shavar Richardson missed 12 shots, more than all but two Hilltoppers even attempted. …Alex Tucker’s 11 points were balanced by six turnovers.
From the box score: Jarvis likes to say that assists, turnovers and rebounds are especially telling box score stats. Western Kentucky’s 21 assists were 14 more than FAU, and the Owls committed four more turnovers. The Hilltoppers also out-rebounded the Owls 49-31
Up next: FAU hosts Florida International on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Buzzer beater: If Monroe does miss three weeks, his return won’t likely occur until the first week of February, leaving him eight regular season games before the start of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. That won’t be much time to shake off the rust, get back into game shape and lead the Owls on a late-season run.