Feb. 16, 2002

Final Stats

Four seniors played their final home game for Florida Atlantic University's men's basketball team Saturday night and despite the dramatic turnaround the team has made this season it was unable to pull off a victory against a focused Samford University in a 68-50 loss.

Entering the game, six teams were within two game of each other for the coveted six-team Atlantic Sun Conference tournament field, with FAU sitting tied for third. With the loss, FAU falls to 14-11 on the season and 11-7 in A-Sun play. Samford improves to 14-12 and 11-7.

Samford opened the game with a 16-5 run behind 52% shooting from the field. FAU clawed to within five, 21-16, with six minutes remaining in the half, before the Bulldogs out scored the Owls 13-8 in the closing minutes of the half for a 34-24 intermission advantage.

Samford returned to the floor to shoot 64% during the second half by taking advantage of an open back door and going away from their better known offense, the three-point attack. Samford entered the game 212-586 from beyond the three point line, while FAU held them to just 4-of-13.

"Everyone is hyped to play us," said senior Raheim Brown. "I think they were more focused to play us this time than when played at their place. They know how to keep a lead once they have established it."

FAU was led by Brown who scored 13 points and shared a team high in rebounds with fellow senior Daryl Dingle, 7. Earnest Crumbley closed out the Owls' double-digit scorers with 12. Also playing in their final home game was Anthony Slater, who scored two and John Smart who had three rebounds and assist.

Samford was led by Philip Ramelli who scored 21 points, including an 8-for-8 performance at the free throw line. Corey Green and Chris Weaver added 16 and 11, respectively. Green had a game high nine rebounds.

FAU has two games remaining in its regular season schedule and has the potential to finish as high as second. The Owls will play 7:30 pm, February 21, at Jacksonville and 7 pm, February 23 at Stetson.