March 1, 2008

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL (March 1, 2008) - Western Kentucky (24-6; 16-2 SBC) received 29 points from guard Courtney Lee and teammate Tyrone Brazelton made four three-pointers as the visiting Hilltoppers defeated Florida Atlantic 88-78 on Saturday. It was the regular season finale for both clubs.

Florida Atlantic (14-17; 8-10 SBC), the seventh-seed in the upcoming Sun Belt Conference postseason tournament, will host tenth-seeded Florida International in the tournament's first round Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the FAU Arena. The winner moves on to face Arkansas Little-Rock in the quarterfinals Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in Mobile.

The Owls led by as many as nine in the first half, and WKU took a slim 47-44 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Paul Graham III led Florida Atlantic with 17 points. Junior guard Carderro Nwoji added 16, while 15 points and nine rebounds came from Carlos Monroe.

57 fouls were called Saturday night with both teams combining to shoot 69 free-throws.

Lee scored 18 of his game-high 29 points in the second half, and two of Brazelton's four three-pointers allowed WKU to extend a four-point advantage to seven deep into the game, holding off an FAU team that came in having won 9-of-12.

Tickets for the first round of the Conference Tournament are $20 for reserved seating and $12 for general admission. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $9 but must be purchased in advance. FAU students are FREE with a valid ID. Purchase tickets online at www.fausports.com and receive a FREE T-shirt courtesy of FAU Athletics.