2024 AAC tournament: FAU defeats UNT 77-71, advances to Semis of AAC tourney behind a gritty effort and whole lot of heart

Written by Robbie Lastella

FORT WORTH, TX.- FAU jumped out to a big lead early in this ball game, but UNT was quick to battle back and turn it into a classic Owls Vs Mean Green tussle.

The Owls won the fight thanks to 4 scorers in double figures and the fortunateness to never give up, using a late surge to defeat the Mean Green 77-71.

Vlad broke 20 points for the first time this year against UNT, dominating once again with a 21-point performance, but he was assisted by Johnell who had 18,12 in the second half; Alijah Martin with 15 and Nick Boyd who scored 12 and had 7 rebounds.

Unstoppable 💪#WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/PKarRtJvUu
— Florida Atlantic Men's Basketball (@FAUMBB) March 16, 2024

The Owls got a team effort in the second half, and when the team is playing as a unit, they are hard to beat, and despite UNT shooting 45% in the second half, FAU found a way to push through and advance to the next round. After the game, FAU coach Dusty May explained in his opening statements how his team was able to close out a very challenging opponent in the final 5 minutes.

“We’re very grateful to come away with a hard-fought win against a program that we couldn’t respect anymore, every catch and possession is challenged. Very proud of our team to fight and compete and find different ways. These guys are confident and expect to win, they don’t just expect it, they go earn it. I thought down the stretch, the last 5 minutes the 50-50 basketball and rim protection pulled us through and allowed us to get a few baskets in transition. It came down to these guys making plays, big time rebounds big time shots and great screens, I thought our screens were as good as they were all year down the stretch. As it is in any tournament format, it’s on to the next,” Coach May said after the game.

Out of the gates in this one, UNT struggled starting 1 for their first 7 but were lulling the Owls into their pace of play and at the first media break FAU was only up 7-4, despite the Mean Greens Slow start.

The Beach Boys were bringing the energy early and not allowing any easy buckets, but both sides had a bit of a slow start overall in this one. UNT started 2 for their first 13, FAU started 5 of 14 and the Mean Green were getting what they wanted defensively, in getting FAU to play at a slow pace. Their offensive struggles were drastic however, and although FAU was playing slowly, they still led 14-6 with 10:37 to play.

The Owls controlled the first 10 minutes of play and led 23-14 with 7:09 to play, but the UNT offense woke up after that. UNT rattled off a 9-0 run, getting buckets from 4 different players and following a Robert Allen dunk the game was tied at 23 with 4:06 to play.

Following that stretch, the closely contested battles we are all familiar with between FAU and UNT ensued. In 3 closely contested battles this season, FAU has come out on top, and if you ask UNT senior Rubin Jones it’s the Owls experience that pushes them over the edge.

“Definitely. I mean, a lot of respect to them. They got a really good team, a really good coach. I mean, they stay together better than any team I’ve basically played in my career. They’re definitely a special team, but that experience and that togetherness, honestly, is what put them over the edge every time,” Jones said.

The Owls went on a 9-2 run to grab a 32-25 with 1:51 to play off an Alijah Martin triple, however UNT scored 5 straight and it quickly was a 2-point game again, 32-30 FAU with 1:07 to play. Following a couple of free throws from Vlad and Nick Boyd, FAU took a 35-30 lead into the locker room.

The second half started with both teams firing on all cylinders, as UNT quickly erased a 5-point halftime deficit and jumped out to a 1-point lead, 36-35, following back-to-back triples from Edwards and Buggs III.

A quick response was in store for the Owls, as they got buckets from Vlad and Johnell to match the Mean Green offense, but UNT was rolling with momentum backed by a loud fanbase.

CONFIRMED: he's like dat 🔥#AmericanHoops x @FAUMBB https://t.co/nAQhPpqH7m pic.twitter.com/hRwo4GXeEY
— The American (@American_Conf) March 16, 2024

Rondel Walker scored off a turnover and with 15:03 to play and the Mean Green grabbed a 45-41 lead, which was their largest of the game to that point.

FAU was battling and getting to the line, but overall, their offense in the second half was inconsistent, as with 10:43 to play the team was shooting 36.4% in the half and was trailing UNT by three, 50-47. The Owls were able to keep it within 3 even with Johnell and Vlad taking a 3-minute rest break. After the game, Coach May explained that because he’s confident in everyone on his team he was comfortable resting his guys.

“In my mind, we don’t have a second unit. We have a group that’s in the rotation and now Lorient’s in the consistent rotation. It was foul trouble. He would have played more minutes. But that stretch we have confidence in everyone on our team that checks in a game. For the guys that didn’t start or the guys that aren’t playing heavy minutes to be able to come in and impact like they do, it’s a luxury that we have,” Coach May said.

The Mean Green were matching FAU step for step but with 6:21 to play the Owls went on their signature run. That run was a defining moment that helped FAU seal the victory, and after the game FAU coach Dusty May explained that FAU stepped up their physicality when they needed it the most.

“I felt like we were much more physical in our ball screen coverage, and our rim protection improved. That was really — they made some of those tough twos and then down the stretch, they missed, and we were able to come up with the rebounds. They started sending so many guys to the glass, it allowed us to get out in transition and steal a few — I don’t want to say easy baskets because even the pass up ahead to Vlad, the touch pass to A Mart was a special play to have that wherewithal presence.

Starting with Vlad splitting a pair of free throws, FAU went on a quick 7-0 run and capped it off with a Nelly layup to go up 62-58 with 4:08 to play.

That stretch helped the Owls grab a hold of momentum and although UNT was able to tie it up a few possessions later with 2 quick baskets, FAU responded to that with a 5-0 run. After an extremely tough jumper from Nelly, FAU led 67-62 and on the next possession, Alijah Martin hit a dagger triple to put FAU 70-62 with 1:18 to play.

.@martin_alijah SPRAYS IT FROM DEEP 💦#AmericanHoops x @FAUMBB pic.twitter.com/R2wQxjVHuy
— The American (@American_Conf) March 16, 2024

UNT attempted to play the foul game down the wire and brought it within 4 with 20 seconds left, but FAU shut the door with a pair of Brandon Weatherspoon free throws and won 77-71. After the game Coach May said there was a lot to be proud of from his team and that he has a lot of confidence in his squad going forward.

“Absolutely. This time of year when you watch a team play — I know I at least do — I watch and see how connected the guys are, and do they look like they still really enjoy playing with each other, playing the game in a good rhythm, and then just staff and players have a good interaction as well. Usually, those teams that have those two things, they’re playing late in the season, they’re usually a high seed, and then those are the teams that scare me. So that’s what gives me a lot of confidence with our group because of how connected they are and, good, bad or ugly, they stay together and find a way and trust each other and know that on any given possession, game or night a different guy is going to do what’s necessary to find a way to win.