Nov. 21, 2000

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL -

Jeff Cowans scored a game-high 22 points, but it wasn't enough as Florida Atlantic University (0- 2) was defeated by Hofstra University, 87-67, Tuesday night in Boca Raton. The loss drops FAU to 0-2 on the season while Hofstra improved to 3-0. Norman Richardson led the Pride with 19 points.

Hofstra (3-0) built a 43-32 halftime lead due in large part to outshooting FAU 58-percent to 39- percent. The Pride also held a 24-10 rebounding advantage. FAU opened the second half with by closing the gap to nine points, 49-40 with 15:54 left. Hofstra then ran off 14 straight points to increase its lead to 63-40 with 12:52 left.

Trailing by 23, the Owls mounted yet another rally by outscoring the Pride 17-5 over the next 4:27 to trail 68-57 with 8:05 to play. However, one final run by Hofstra did in FAU as the Pride went on a 12-0 run to take a commanding 80-57 lead with 4:19 to play.

"We ran our offense a little bit better, but we still have a long way to go with that," said FAU head coach Sidney Green on comparing the Owls' performance to Saturday's showing against the University of Miami. "We're still familiarizing ourselves with each other, and I told (the players) the first five games were going to be hard for us."

Raheim Brown finished with 14 points while Pierre Downing added eight for FAU.

For the game, the Pride shot 58-percent while the Owls managed just 35-percent. Hofstra outrebounded FAU 42-29. FAU forced Hofstra into 28 turnovers while committing 22.

FAU next plays at the FIU Thanksgiving Shootout Friday against the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.