Jan. 5, 2004

Final Stats

DELAND, FL -- Florida Atlantic University tried to climb back from an eight-point deficit with 3:14 left in the game but fell short in a 76-72 loss to Stetson University Monday night in DeLand, FL. The loss drops FAU to 2-8 on the year and 1-2 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Trineca McCleod led FAU with 18 points and seven rebounds. Stetson's Kristy Brown led everyone with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Stetson (3-6, 2-1 A-Sun) took a 72-64 lead at the 3:14 mark when Brown knocked down a pair of free throws. FAU's Jackie Brown came back to hit a three-pointer to pull the Lady Owls to within 72-67 with 3:00 remaining. FAU then made three defensive stops only to have possessions end in a turnover and four misses from the free throw line. In all, FAU missed seven straight free throws from the 6:22 mark to the 1:23 mark.

Despite that, the Lady Owls, trailing 74-69, pulled to within two points when McCleod nailed a three-pointer, her first such attempt of the season, with 30 seconds remaining.

Stetson's JoAnn Smith made two free throws with 15 seconds remaining to give the Hatters the 76-72 win.

"I'm very disappointed," said FAU head coach Chancellor Dugan. "If we make our free throws, we win the game. We also need to be better on the boards."

FAU finished the game 23-for-37 from the line and was outrebounded 43-40 despite holding a 25-21 halftime edge on the boards.

The Lady Owls led by as many as eight points with the last such margin coming with 17:52 left in the game when a pair of free throws by Shontavia Williams gave them a 43-35 lead. Stetson went on a 15-5 run to lead 50-48 at the 11:16 mark. FAU's last lead was 64-63 with 6:22 left.

Three other Lady Owls finished in double figures with Williams scoring 14 points. DeeAnna Hanscom had 12 while Brown had 10.

The game was the last of six straight for FAU on the road. Florida Atlantic next faces Mercer Thursday night at 7:00pm at FAU Gymnasium.