Monroe's return can't help FAU beat Denver
Pre-season All-Sun Belt forward Carlos Monroe's return wasn't enough to help FAU, which lost to Denver 66-55 in the conference opener.
Originally published on
12/16/2008
by
Chuck King
December 16, 2008
The return of preseason All-Sun Belt forward Carlos Monroe wasn’t nearly enough help for Florida Atlantic, which lost to Denver 66-55 in both school’s conference opener.
Playing his first game of the season after sitting out the first nine with eligibility issues, Monroe scored 10 and grabbed six rebounds in 26 minutes. He was unable to establish the post presence the Owls have lacked this season.
Hot shooting from Paul Graham pushed a three-point FAU halftime lead to seven, before the Owls fell apart offensively down the stretch. Graham led all scorers with 21 points.
Andrew Hooper’s 3-pointer, part of a 16-2 Pioneers’ run, gave Denver its first lead of the second half, 38-37, with 9:40 remaining. The Owls were never able to retake the lead.
Denver (3-6, 1-1) stretched its lead to seven, but Alex Tucker’s free throw drew the Owls to within 52-50 with 2:34 remaining. Denver’s 11-point final advantage was the largest of the night.
FAU trailed by as much a five late in the first half before ending with its best run of the night. Paul Graham’s traditional 3-point play drew the Owls to within a hoop at 20-18. Chris Watson’s steal and subsequent slam tied the score. Tucker’s transition lay-up put the Owls in front, only to see Denver’s Nate Rohnert even the score with a jumper.
Tucker sent the Owls into the locker room on a high, draining a 3-pointer at the buzzer that gave the Owls a 25-22 halftime lead. Tucker finished with 10 points.
Hooper paced the Pioneers with 19 points.
Of note: The Owls played without Xavier Perkins, who did not make the trip. Perkins will likely miss Thursday’s contest at Troy.
GAME REWIND
- Slam dunk: Graham continues to shine, but he appears to be the lone Owl who can create his own shot. The offense was stagnant when Graham didn’t have the ball.
- Off the rim: Monroe got the start, but the high altitude quickly affected him. He lasted 2:35 before asking to come out of the game.
- From the box score: Graham converted on all nine free throw attempts
- Up next: The Owls face Troy at 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Final shot: FAU’s cold finish seemed a little too familiar – think Florida Gulf Coast. Good teams control games late. The Owls, who have yet to play a game this season with their full complement of players, have not reached the point where they are consistent with the game on the line.