March 5, 2003

BOCA RATON, FL -- Florida Atlantic University begins its final homestand of the season Thursday night when it takes on Jacksonville University. The game begins at 7:00pm at FAU Gymnasium.

FAU enters the game with a 12-13 record overall and a 10-4 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Lady Owls are in third-place in the A-Sun South, one-half game behind Troy State (11-4) and one game behind leader UCF (11-3). JU enters with a 6-19 record and a 4-10 record in the A-Sun South. The Dolphins are in last place in the division.

FAU is coming off a 71-68 loss at Mercer last Saturday and has lost three of its past five games after running off eight wins in nine tries. Tamica Pierce continues to lead the team in points (13.4) and rebounds (6.7). Crystal Boyland, who returned to action against Mercer after missing two games with a right knee injury, is second on the team with 11.2 points per game.

The Dolphins have struggled this season, winning just six times in 25 tries, including an 11-game losing streak earlier in the season. As a program, JU has lost 46 of its past 56 games. JU has won back-to-back games just once and is coming off a 71-65 loss against Stetson last Saturday. Kat Sungy leads the team with 13.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Kara Donnell is chipping in 9.4 points.

FAU leads the all-time series 5-2 and has won three of the past four games. The Lady Owls are 2-1 against the Dolphins at FAU Gymnasium with the lone loss coming on February 23, 2002. FAU defeated JU, 58-55, earlier this season in Jacksonville.

FAU has clinched a berth in the A-Sun Tournament, March 13-15, in Orlando. The Lady Owls are mathematically still alive for a no. 1 seed out of the South Division, but would clinch no worse than a no. 3 seed with one win in their remaining two games.

FAU will conclude its regular season Saturday against Stetson.