Feb. 11, 2004

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University returns home to begin a two-game homestand Thursday night against Stetson University. Tip-off is set for 7:00pm at FAU Gymnasium, and the game can be heard on www.fausports.com. FAU enters the game 8-13 overall and 5-9 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Stetson is 10-11 and 8-7 in the A-Sun. The Owls are in eighth place while the Hatters are in fifth place.

The Owls will be trying to snap a five-game losing streak. FAU's last outing was a 57-54 loss in double-overtime at Belmont. In that game, Mike Bell had his fifth straight double-double, and seventh overall, with 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. Earnest Crumbley led the Owls with 18 points and is now 78 points away from breaking the FAU all-time scoring record. Bell leads FAU with 19.1 points per game and is second in the A-Sun. in addition, he now leads the conference with 8.9 rebounds per game. Crumbley is second on the Owls with 12.2ppg.

The Hatters' A-Sun wins have come in bunches with a five-game winning streak in January and a current three-game winning streak. Their last outing was a 62-48 home win over Gardner-Webb on February 7. E.J. Gordon leads the team with 16.9 points per game. Anthony Register is averaging 14.6ppg.

This is the 23rd meeting between the two teams. Stetson leads the series 13-10 and won the last meeting, 91-89, in overtime January 11 in DeLand. Stetson has won the past two after FAU won the previous three. FAU is 6-4 at FAU Gymnasium.

Before the game, fans can register to win a Valentine Sweetheart package that includes one night at the Embassy Suites/Boca Raton, two hours of limousine service provided by A1A Services, and a $100 gift certificate at The Melting Pot in Boca Raton. In addition, it's the second annual mascot game where various mascots from businesses and organizations will play each other at halftime.

The game is the first of two in three days for Florida Atlantic as the Owls host Jacksonville Saturday at 7:00pm.

Tickets are available at the door. Prices are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children.