LAS VEGAS, NV.- Some guys CAN handle Vegas.
#14 Florida Atlantic and #4 travelled to Las Vegas, Nevada to face off in the 2023 Desert Holiday Classic, in what would become a game for the ages.
Arizona opened up the game smothering the Owls, quickly setting up a 17-3 lead. Despite the deficit, FAU crawled back into this game, trailing 37-31 at the half.
FAU came into the second half swinging, keeping this game within reach. Early on into the half, the Owls gained their first lead of the game, as Johnell Davis found Vlad Goldin on a fast break.
After more back and forth action, Arizona had a 2 point lead with less than ten seconds in regulation and FAU had the ball. Jalen Gaffney found Goldin all alone on a back door cut, and as the big man slams the ball down, the score tied at 73-73, sending the game to overtime.
As the game goes into overtime, the Owls showed no mercy. Johnell Davis began scoring at will, draining fade away jumpers, deep threes and contested layups. Davis had the performance of a lifetime, recording a season high 35 points. Unfortunately, Arizona also stayed in the game, tying it at 84 a piece, to go into a double OT.
As the double overtime festivities began, Jalen Gaffney took over. Gaffney facilitated the remainder of the game, scoring an acrobatic layup and a deep three in the final minutes of the contest, bringing his game total to 20 points. As the final seconds wound down, Giancarlo Rosado was brought to the free-throw line. After missing his first shot, the big man knocked down his second one. As the clock ticked away, Arizona pulls a fadeaway three, and misses. As the buzzer sounds, FAU victoriously grabbed the rebound.
After the double overtime thriller, Florida Atlantic wins their first top-10 matchup in program history, rising to 10-2 on the season. The Owls will travel to Florida Gulf Coast on December 30. Tip off is slated for 7:00 P.M.
