Feb. 6, 2008

Box Score

MONROE, LA - In a hard fought game, the Florida Atlantic men's basketball team defeated Louisiana-Monroe 77-72 for its first road conference win of the season.

The Owls (10-14, 5-7 Sun Belt) started quickly as Jeff Parmer and Sanchez Hughley scored FAU's first 17 points while helping build a 21-12 lead. Hughley scored at career-high 18 points on the night. Nine consecutive points from ULM tied the game at the 9:15 mark of the first half. The Owls' lead got up to as much as seven at 34-27 before the Warhawks responded with an 18-4 run to earn a 45-38 lead at the half.

FAU methodically closed the gap on ULM early in the second half ultimately taking a 54-53 lead on two Parmer free throws. The Owls seemingly suffered a huge loss when Hughley was whistled for his fifth foul with 8:21 remaining in the game with the score tied at 60. FAU did not go away and continued to battle. A Tony Hooper triple gave ULM a 70-69 lead with 3:07 remaining. The Owls responded with six straight points to take a 75-70 advantage with 53 seconds left. Hooper scored a layup to pull ULM within three. After Paul Graham missed a jumper, Jordan Payne missed a potential game-tying three-pointer and Parmer hit two free throws to seal FAU's first road win in Sun Belt play this season.

"It was a game in which everyone found a way to contribute," head coach Rex Walters said.