Feb. 23, 2008

Box Score

LaToya Barclay of Middle Tennessee hit a three-pointer with 2.9 seconds left in the game to force overtime against the Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team on Saturday. After that Amber Holt would score eight of the Blue Raiders' 11 points in the extra session as Middle Tennessee defeated FAU 89-84 at FAU Arena.

The Owls led 39-36 at halftime, and led 70-62 after two Brittany Bowe free-throws gave FAU their biggest lead of the game. Middle Tennessee would come back on an 11-3 run. Barclay scored eight points in that run, including a three with 59 seconds left to tie the game at 73. On the next possession, the ball would be fed inside to Jaimie Givens who knocked down the lay-in to give FAU a 75-73 lead. On the next trip, Amber Holt missed a point blank lay-up. Brittany Bowe would get fouled, and make one of two free-throws to put FAU up 76-73. Both teams would trade free-throws and on the last chance for Middle Tennessee, Barclay would hit a three to tie the game. Simultaneously, Andrea Taylor pushed Jackie Pickel and forced a two-shot foul for the win. Pickel missed both foul shots and the game went into overtime.

In the extra session, the Blue Raiders never trailed, as Amber Holt scored two lay-ups to put the Blue Raiders up 82-78. The Owls never got closer than four points after that.

"I wanted the win, I'm really disappointed," said FAU Head Coach Chancellor Dugan. "We just committed too many turnovers in overtime and just were not composed."

Holt had her tenth double-double of the year for Middle Tennessee (18-10, 13-4 Sun Belt). She scored 34 points, including 16 of 22 foul shots, and 15 rebounds. Barclay added a career-high 22 points on six of eight shooting from beyond the arc. Anne Marie Lanning added 14 points. The Blue Raiders were a perfect five-of-five from the field in overtime.

Brittany Bowe tossed in a career-high 23 points for FAU (6-19, 2-14 SBC). She went 15 of 20 shots from the foul line. Jaimie Givens added a double-double, 19 points and 12 boards. Carla Stubbs added 15 points for the Owls. However, FAU only shot one of five from the field in the extra session.

FAU returns to action on Wednesday night as the Owls face Troy. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.