Florida Atlantic University (FAU) women’s basketball team achieved a thrilling victory against the University of South Florida (USF) on Saturday, winning 64-63 at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena. The Owls, who were significantly shorthanded with just seven active players, demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the match.
Head coach LeAnn Freeman expressed her pride in the team’s performance, especially against a strong South Florida squad. “I’m really proud of them and happy that we were able to pull off the victory today against a very good South Florida team,” she stated. Last season, under former coach Jennifer Sullivan, FAU faced USF twice and lost both times, highlighting the significance of this win.
Historically, this matchup was the 21st encounter between the Owls and Bulls, with FAU now holding an 8-12 record since their rivalry began in 1984. The last home win for FAU against USF dates back to 2001, when they won 101-87 under former coach Chancellor Dugan.
Jess Moors was a standout player, scoring a career-high 21 points. “It’s just super exciting, I think we get so much energy from each other,” she remarked about the team’s camaraderie.
The game was tightly contested from the start, with FAU securing the opening tip and scoring first with a free throw by Grace Carstensen following a foul by USF’s Edyn Battle. A back-and-forth dynamic emerged as both teams traded leads, with FAU ending the first quarter ahead 12-9.
Entering the second half, FAU held a narrow 25-24 lead. However, Freeman noted that despite their undersized lineup, they were able to maintain focus and intensity against their opponents. The Owls began the third quarter with renewed energy and eventually widened their lead to 48-34 by the end of the third period.
In a tense fourth quarter, USF fought back, taking the lead late in the game. Nevertheless, FAU’s Erin Rodgers secured the win by hitting two critical free throws in the final seconds, sealing the score at 64-63. “I’m just extremely excited for our players,” Freeman said. “They’ve gone through a lot recently and they just bonded together and made a decision to play for each other today.”
The FAU women’s basketball team will next face the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes on Tuesday, January 27, at 2 p.m. in the Reynolds Center, aiming to build on their victory and continue showcasing their determination and teamwork.