No. 19 Florida Atlantic uses balanced scoring to escape Butler

Field Level Media|published: Thu 23rd November, 17:18 2023

Nov 23, 2023; Kissimmee, Florida, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls forward Tre Carroll (25) and Butler Bulldogs center Andre Screen (23) fight for a loose ball in the first half during the ESPN Events Invitational at State Farm Field House. credits: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Vladislav Goldin recorded a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Johnell Davis scored 15 as No. 19 Florida Atlantic held off upset-minded Butler 91-86 in the quarterfinal round of the ESPN Events Invitational on Thanksgiving in Kissimmee, Fla.

The Owls (3-1) came in looking to overcome last Saturday's loss to Bryant at home. A balanced attack featuring six players in double figures helped them get it done.

Jalen Gaffney finished with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, with his biggest shot being a 3-pointer that gave the Owls an 81-77 lead and a bit of breathing room with 4:30 remaining.

Alijah Martin scored 13, and Bryan Greenlee added 11 points.

Tre Carroll also scored 11 points for the Owls and made a huge play with 6:19 remaining, going up strong and drawing a foul as the shot rolled in. He hit the free throw as well, and FAU led 77-71.

Jahmyl Telfort was one of five players in double figures for the Bulldogs (3-2), scoring 19, with Pierre Brooks adding 13. DJ Davis scored 13 and hit the 1,000-point milestone on a 3-pointer that cut the FAU lead to 33-26 with 7:02 to go in the first half.

Posh Alexander (12) and Andre Screen (12) also reached double digits.

The Owls went into halftime with a 46-42 lead and got a shot in the arm early in the second half from Davis, who grabbed a long rebound and drove in for a layup before knocking down a 3-pointer with 18:18 to play as the Owls stretched their advantage to 53-44.

Two Boden Kapke free throws gave Butler a 67-63 lead with 10:52 left, but Goldin soon gave FAU the lead back after being fouled on a made layup. He hit the ensuing free throw for a 71-70 lead at the 7:39 mark. The Owls never looked back.

In the first meeting between the two programs, FAU led 33-23 after Martin threw down a dunk off an ally-oop with 7:22 to play, but Butler tied the game at 42-42 when Brooks shot over a defender from beyond the arc with 1:23 to play in the half.

Back-to-back layups from Gaffney and Goldin gave the Owls a 46-42 lead.

Florida Atlantic moves on to play No. 12 Texas A&M on Friday in the semifinals of the tournament. The Aggies defeated Penn State 89-77 Thursday.

Butler will play Penn State in a consolation semifinal Friday.

—Field Level Media

Latest