Florida Atlantic's bid for a Conference USA championship push was dealt a significant blow as North Texas pulled off an upset 73-72 victory. The Mean Green's triumph marked a rare instance of a lower-ranked team claiming the win, with North Texas sitting at NET #153 and the Owls at NET #118. The final margin was just one point, with the two teams separated by a narrow 73-72 score.
The game's outcome was a tale of two halves, with Florida Atlantic holding a slim 34-32 lead at the intermission before North Texas outscored them 41-38 in the second half to claim the win. The result leaves the Mean Green with a crucial conference victory, while Florida Atlantic must regroup in their pursuit of a championship.
A 29-point, 10-rebound performance from Je'Shawn Stevenson set the tone for North Texas, but it was his ability to draw fouls and convert at the free throw line that proved pivotal in the game's outcome. His 9-for-17 shooting from the field and 3-for-9 marksmanship from beyond the arc were more than offset by his 8-for-8 performance at the charity stripe.
With the game on the line, David Terrell Jr.'s playmaking ability was on full display, as he racked up 6 assists to complement his 16 points and 5 rebounds. His 5-for-14 shooting from the field was not overly efficient, but his 6-for-9 mark at the free throw line helped the Mean Green maintain a slim lead. Meanwhile, Buddy Hammer Jr.'s 10 points, including 1-for-2 shooting from beyond the arc, proved to be a valuable contribution off the bench, helping to stretch the defense and create space for his teammates.
Josiah Parker's 18 points on 7-15 shooting from the field, supplemented by 9 rebounds and 3 assists, were a testament to his well-rounded game, but ultimately fell short of propelling Florida Atlantic to victory. His 9 rebounds led the team, but the Owls' inability to capitalize on his efforts on the glass proved costly.
Amar Amkou's 14 points were largely fueled by his 4-7 three-point shooting, a significant contributor to the Owls' offense, but his inability to secure rebounds and provide support in the paint hindered the team's overall performance. Devin Williams' 10 points, coupled with 5 assists and 3 blocks, showcased his all-around skills, but the team's lack of a cohesive effort ultimately limited his impact on the game.
A season-low 0.8 three-point shooting percentage for Florida Atlantic's Alijah Martin marked a significant departure from his usual marksmanship, as he typically averages 3.3 makes from beyond the arc per game. Meanwhile, Florida Atlantic's Nick Boyd shot 50% from the field, a notable improvement from his 44.4% season average.
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Final
While the pre-game prediction proved correct, the margin of victory was narrower than anticipated. North Texas's 1-point win over Florida Atlantic was a testament to the latter's ability to stay competitive despite being outgunned in several key categories.
The deciding factors in this game were North Texas's strong performance on the glass and Florida Atlantic's dominance from beyond the arc. The Mean Green's 32.1% OREB rate, while slightly below their season average, allowed them to control the tempo and limit the Owls' second-chance opportunities. Meanwhile, Florida Atlantic's 47.4% 3PT% marked a significant departure from their season average, as they connected on crucial shots to keep their offense afloat. This disparity in three-point shooting ultimately proved decisive, as North Texas was able to hang on for a narrow victory.
The victory for North Texas maintains their position in the American Athletic Conference standings, where they sit just above the bottom half. With this win, they inch closer to a potential top-four seed in the conference tournament, which would grant them a more favorable draw in the quarterfinals. Conversely, Florida Atlantic's loss now leaves them tied for fifth in the conference standings, and they face a more daunting path to securing a top-four seed. As a result, their conference tournament trajectory has become more challenging, and they will need to win several games in the next two weeks to improve their positioning.
North Texas's win over Florida Atlantic is a significant momentum builder, and it signals that they're a force to be reckoned with in the conference tournament.