Feb. 5, 2003

BOCA RATON, FL - In a battle of two first place teams, Florida Atlantic University will host Jacksonville State University on Thursday, February 6. The game begins at 7:00pm at FAU Gymnasium.

FAU enters the game 8-10 overall and 6-1 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Lady Owls are tied with UCF for the best record in the A-Sun. FAU is coming off a 2-0 road trip last week that included a 60-46 victory at Samford and an 88-83 win at Belmont.

Tamica Pierce leads FAU with 13.7 points per game while Crystal Boyland is averaging 10.9. Overall, FAU has won eight of its past 11 games and is 2-0 in home conference games this season. Beginning with the JSU game, six of FAU's final nine games will be at home.

JSU is 11-7 overall and leads the A-Sun North with a 5-2 record. The Gamecocks, however, enter the game with a two-game losing streak. Shanika Freeman leads JSU and the A-Sun with 21.7 points per game.

This will be the 13th meeting between the two teams with the series being tied 6-6. FAU has won four of the past six games, but lost the last meeting, 93-91 in overtime, on February 28, 2002. FAU owns a 5-1 edge in games at FAU Gymnasium.

Tickets are available at the door. Prices are $6 for adults and $4 for those 18 years old and under.

The game can be heard live on www.fausports.com and FAU's student station, WOWL 91.7-FM.