Jan. 30, 2008

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic University men's hoops team (8-14, 4-7) was able to defeat New Orleans 82-72 despite 33 points from Bo McCalebb.

McCalebb, the Preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year, scored 18 in the first half and helped the Privateers to a 45-40 halftime lead. After a Ben Elias jumper stretched the UNO lead to seven, the Owls scored the next seven points to tie the game. The two teams traded buckets for the next four minutes before another 7-0 FAU run gave the Owls a 61-53 lead.

The pattern continued for the rest of the half, as each time UNO pulled close, the Owls managed to string points together to push the lead back out to a multiple possession lead. The game clinching bucket came with 1:16 remaining when McCalebb had just hit a three-pointer to pull UNO within 75-71. Sean Alarcon made a layup off an assist from Carderro Nwoji to put the lead back to six points and secure the game for the Owls.

It is the fourth straight victory at home for FAU. The last home loss for the Owls came against South Alabama on January 2. "Confidence comes from success, and we've had success at home." head coach Rex Walters said after the game.

Nwoji lead the Owls with 18 and Carlos Monroe added 15 points and 10 rebounds.