Feb. 27, 2008

Box Score |  Action Photos 

Troy, AL - Florida Atlantic turned in an inspired effort just when it was needed most, leading by as many as 17 before holding off Troy 99-93 on Wednesday. Paul Graham III scored a career-high 27 points, helping the Owls post its best offensive output of the season.

Florida Atlantic (14-16) has won 9-of-12 and the victory puts the Owls in position to clinch a home game in the upcoming Sun Belt Conference tournament with a win in its regular season finale against Western Kentucky Saturday night at the FAU Arena.

Senior forward Jeff Parmer scored seven of Florida Atlantic's first 12 points and Sanchez Hughley made a half-court shot as the halftime buzzer sounded to allow FAU a 41-30 lead at the break.

Troy (11-17) was just 3-of-16 from three-point range in the first half, and just 11-of-40 for the game, an essential part of the Trojans attack. Troy entered Wednesday's game as the Sun Belt leader in three-point attempts (31) and three-point makes (11).

With Troy continuing to struggle from the outside in the second half FAU found its stride, taking a 49-36 lead with 15:54 to play on consecutive three-pointers by Parmer and Graham.

Leading 56-44 with 11:35 remaining, the Owls broke it open, extending its advantage to 14 points on a backcourt steal and subsequent lay-up by FAU's Sun Belt Player of the Year candidate Carlos Monroe.

Troy guard O'Darien Bassett kept the Trojans close, scoring a game-high 42- 33 in the second half.

The lead was cut to three, 96-93, with 13.7 seconds to play, but FAU made the necessary free-throws down the stretch to win for just the third time in 12 tries this year on the road.