In the Field of 68 Tip-Off on Thursday night in Boca Raton, Florida, the FAU Owls blew by the Liberty Flames.
Led by FAU’s lethal shooting, the Owls beat Liberty 83-58 at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
“Really proud of the way we handled the recent success up in Orlando at Disney,” said FAU head coach Dusty May. “I thought our guys had a great mindset in preparation of Liberty. We were so happy with our defensive performance tonight.”
FAU shot 55% from the field and 50% from three-point range. The recipe for success came easy because shots were being knocked down left and right.
“We are taking the right shots,” Dusty May said postgame. “Most of our threes are catch-and-shoot threes, unless it’s late shot clock. And they (Liberty) were staying home on shooters.”
FAU’s lone loss this season came against Bryant when the Owls shot 41.0% from the field and only 30% from three. It is obvious: the Owls win a ton of games when they shoot the ball well.
Speaking of high percentages, center Vlad Goldin had 18 points and seven rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting.
Dusty May spoke on if he expected Vlad to be this dominant in the paint against Liberty’s defense: “Yes and then some.”
Alijah Martin had a game high 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, in addition to six rebounds.
“Just the preparation and I have to thank my coaches and teammates for allowing me to shoot those shots,” Martin said.
FAU star Johnell Davis struggled, however, scoring only two points while shooting 0-of-7 from the field.
Liberty star Kyle Rode had his worst career game as he was held to six points on 2-of-11 shooting (1-of-7 from three). Rode is the Flames’ leading scorer this season; he came into Thursday’s game averaging 16 PPG.
The Owls are now riding a four game winning streak, which includes three wins in Orlando at the ESPN Invitational Tournament.
FAU looks to make it five games on Saturday against Charleston. Tip-off is at 6:00 PM.
Liberty, meanwhile, has short rest as they play on Friday against Charleston in what will be a back-to-back.
Both teams are now 6-1 on the young season.
