Feb. 23, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University knocked off Middle Tennessee State, 75-67, at the FAU Arena Saturday night. Carlos Monroe scored 21 points and had a career-high 17 rebounds for an Owl team that needed the win to keep its hopes alive of hosting a first-round Sun Belt Conference tournament game on March 5.

Florida Atlantic (13-16, 7-9 Sun Belt) took an early 9-2 lead after two lay-ups by Carderro Nwoji. The junior point guard finished with 14 points for the Owls. Middle Tennessee would tighten things up in the first half, cutting the deficit to one on a Nigel Johnson basket. FAU responded by scoring 13 unanswered points which would propel them to a 39-25 advantage at halftime.

FAU would up the lead to 16 early in the second half after a Monroe jumper made it 43-27.

Middle Tennessee (13-14, 10-7 Sun Belt) fired back, down 62-50 with five and a half minutes left, the Blue Raiders went on a 10-0 run. Desmond Yates' jumper made it 62-60 with 3:20 left. The Blue Raiders shot 52 percent (13-25) from the field in the second half.

But the Owls would not be denied at home. Paul Graham made a lay-up and knocked down four free-throws in the closing moments to seal the win for FAU.

"We were tested tonight, but I'm overall happy with the win," said Head Coach Rex Walters. "Carlos came up huge for us tonight."

FAU had four players in double-figures, led by Monroe's 21. Jeff Parmer added 17 points, including 10 of 11 from the foul line. Graham scored 15. FAU shot 36-43 from the foul line and outrebounded MTSU 40-31.

Kevin Kanaskie led Middle Tennessee with 21 points. He was 12 of 12 from the free-throw line. Yates scored 18 and Demetrius Green added 13.

FAU returns to the court Wednesday night as the travel to face Troy. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.