Boca Raton, FL.- Tonight (January 2), the Florida Atlantic Owls hosted their first AP Poll ranked opponent in program history, facing off against the #21 Memphis Tigers, in both squads’ first game of AAC play.

As always the vibes were electric in the “Burrow”, despite the majority of Owls students still being on winter break. The fans were loud, the energy was high, and everyone in attendance was ready to enjoy some good basketball between college hoops’ newest rivals.

Memphis shot out of the gate, taking an early 9-0 lead over the Owls, as Tyreese Hunter knocked down a three pointer alongside a layup, and PJ Haggerty made a tough layup, alongside two easy free throws (9-0, 17:39 1). FAU finally got on the board as Baba Miller fought for a contested layup. The Tigers continued to apply pressure, as both Hunter and Haggerty launched deep triples, while Colby Rogers tapped in a second chance jumper. Florida Atlantic responded with a transition three from Kaleb Glenn and a put back layup from Tre Carrol. (20-9. 14:02 1).

FAU began to battle back, as Ken Evans Jr. scored seven easy points off a second chance layup and a three ball, while connecting on two free shots. Memphis continued to control the pace, as Hunter pieced another three pointer, while Haggerty and Nicholas Jourdain both took down two frees. (27-17, 10:22 1). The Owls kept heating up, as Miller threw down his first dunk of the night, KyKy Tandy hit a transition three alongside another Glenn triple. (29-24, 7:24 1).

The Tigers immediately replied with another Jourdain three, and two more Haggerty layups, holding strong to their double digit lead. As time wound down in the first half, Memphis maintained a 10 point lead over FAU, as we entered the break 42-32.

At the beginning of the second half, FAU and Memphis began to trade blows again, but things began to turn sour real quickly. A deep three ball from PJ Carter sparked an incredible Memphis run. The points just kept piling on, three balls, layups, dunks, you name it. Memphis was firing from every aspect of the game, halting any previous momentum FAU possessed and silencing the Ely crowd.

As FAU attempted to play catchup, Memphis’ defense suffocated the Owls. The Beach Boys were playing on their heels, backs against the wall, which allowed the Tigers to catch mistakes, causing for more Memphis points, and Owl offensive insecurity.

Time quickly ran away, and Memphis emerged with a statement win over FAU, as the Tigers defeated the Owls 90-62.