MTSU hands Owls seventh straight loss
Monroe's return doesn't lead to victory
Originally published on
1/9/2009
by
Chuck King
Even the return of Carlos Monroe wasn’t enough to stop Florida Atlantic’s six-game losing skid.
The Owls led Middle Tennessee most of the game but their defense failed in the final seconds, allowing the Blue Raiders to extend FAU’s streak to seven with a 59-57 come-from-behind win.
FAU led most of the game and appeared to have sent the game to overtime when Paul Graham’s two free throws tied the score at 57 with six seconds remaining.
MTSU (10-5, 4-0 Sun Belt) followed a time-out with Demetrius Green’s driving lay-up with two seconds to go. Alex Tucker’s half-court shot at the buzzer wasn’t close.
"We were thinking maybe we could deny them enough to get a five second penalty,” FAU (4-12, 0-4 Sun Belt) coach Mike Jarvis said. “The one thing that wasn't supposed to happen was for us to let them get between us and the basket. At the worst we would force overtime. We can't make mental mistakes at crucial times in the game.”
Monroe, who missed Monday’s loss to Miami because of eligibility issues, didn’t start and played only 22 minutes, scoring six points.
The Owls didn’t need their preseason All-Sun Belt selection early. MTSU scored on its opening, but Carderro Nwoji’s 3-pointer gave the Owls a 5-4 lead that they would not relinquish in the first half.
Brett Royster’s two quick put-backs to start the second half pushed FAU’s lead to seven. Moments later Royster picked up his fourth foul, sending him to the bench. He played four more minutes, fouling out with 3:02 remaining.
Paul Graham led the Owls with 16 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Nwoji added 12 and Shavar Richardson scored 10.
MTSU’s Desmond Yates led all scorers with 20.
The loss left FAU as the only winless school in Sun Belt play. Florida International picked up its first conference victory with a 81-79 win over Western Kentucky on Thursday.
The Owls host the Hilltoppers at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Burrow.
"We've been playing better,” Jarvis said. “We've had chances in some past games. Better is not good enough. We've got too many guys playing too many minutes, but this is the way it's going to be. These guys playing 38 to 39 minutes are going to have to get used to it because that's what we've got. Hopefully, we won't make as many mistakes."
Box Score
GAME REWIND
Slam dunk: FAU stayed in the game by slowing down the tempo, a tactic the shorthanded Owls will likely use frequently the remainder of the season. … Nwoji continues to be hot from behind the arc, connecting on two of three attempts. …Royster didn’t miss a shot, but that’s not too useful if he’s on the bench with foul trouble.
Off the rim: Monroe was back, but didn’t start and only played 22 minutes. Is Jarvis losing faith? … Paul Graham’s cold shooting continued, going 3-of-13 from the field. … Sammy Hernandez didn’t play because of a lingering groin injury.
From the box score: Had the Owls pulled out the victory, they would have done it at the free-throw line, where FAU converted 14 of 15 attempts.
Up next: FAU returns home to face Western Kentucky on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Final shot: It is unlikely that Western Kentucky will show up flat for their second game in a row, meaning the Owls will stand a much better chance of picking up their first conference win on Thursday when they host FIU.