Florida Atlantic Owls Hold Off Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners 60-52 Behind Josiah Parker's 16 Points The Florida Atlantic Owls secured a crucial 8-point victory over the Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners, with Josiah Parker leading the charge, and in doing so, they snapped a 5-game losing streak, during which they averaged 74 points per game but allowed 82 points per game, resulting in an average deficit of 8 points per contest.
The game was closely contested in the first half, with UTSA taking a 28-26 lead into the break, thanks in large part to Baboucarr Njie's 12 points and 5 rebounds in the first 20 minutes. However, Florida Atlantic adjusted their strategy in the second half, outscoring UTSA 34-24, with Parker and Isaiah Elohim combining for 21 points in the final 20 minutes. The Owls' ability to limit UTSA to just 24 second-half points was a key factor in their victory, as they held the Roadrunners to 37.5% shooting from the field in the second half, including 0-7 from three-point range.
Baboucarr Njie's 21 Points Lead All Scorers in UTSA's Loss to Florida Atlantic
Parker's performance was instrumental in the Owls' win, as he not only scored 16 points but also grabbed 13 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards, which helped Florida Atlantic secure crucial second-chance opportunities. Elohim, meanwhile, chipped in with 15 points, including 3 three-pointers, which helped stretch the UTSA defense and create openings for his teammates. On the other hand, UTSA's Njie had a strong game, scoring 21 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, but he received little support from his teammates, as the next highest scorer for the Roadrunners was Jamir Simpson with just 9 points.
The CHD Scout prediction of a 17.9-point victory for Florida Atlantic ultimately proved correct, although the actual margin of victory was significantly smaller.
CHD Scout Report Card
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The prediction model correctly accounted for the significant disparity in talent and recent form between the two teams, as Florida Atlantic came into the game with a 14-12 record and a NET ranking of 114, while UTSA had a 5-21 record and a NET ranking of 344. However, the model did not fully anticipate the strong defensive effort put forth by UTSA, particularly in the first half, which helped keep the game close. UTSA's recent trend of allowing 88 points per game over their last 5 contests suggested that they might struggle to contain the Owls' offense, but they were able to hold Florida Atlantic to just 60 points, which is 14 points below their season average.
The win for Florida Atlantic is a significant one, as it helps to bolster their resume and improve their chances of earning a postseason berth. With a current NET ranking of 114, the Owls are still on the outside looking in, but this victory over UTSA, a Quadrant 4 opponent, helps to mitigate the damage of their recent 5-game losing streak.
The Owls' victory over UTSA, a Quadrant 3 game for the Roadrunners and a Quadrant 4 game for Florida Atlantic, does not significantly alter their tournament picture, but it does help to keep them in the conversation. With a record of 14-12 and a NET ranking of 114, Florida Atlantic still has work to do to secure a spot in the postseason, but this win is a step in the right direction. The Owls must continue to accumulate wins, particularly against Quadrant 1 and Quadrant 2 opponents, if they hope to earn a bid to the tournament.
In the end, Florida Atlantic's victory over UTSA was a hard-fought one, with the Owls ultimately emerging as 8-point winners. The win helps to snap their 5-game losing streak and improves their record to 14-12, while UTSA falls to 5-21. As the season enters its final stretch, Florida Atlantic want to build on this momentum and make a push for the postseason, while UTSA will aim to finish the season on a high note and build towards the future. With 6 games remaining on their schedule, the Owls have a chance to make a late push and improve their tournament chances, but they must continue to play strong defense and find ways to score against tougher opponents. The Roadrunners, on the other hand, want to use their remaining games as an opportunity to develop their young players and gain valuable experience, with an eye towards improving their fortunes in the years to come.