Southern Miss' Aggressive Rally Falls Just Short to FAU

Friday, February 26

Reed Green Coliseum

7 p.m.

Southern Miss

-815,412 CUSA

Florida Atlantic

-99,45 CUSA

Fla. Atlantic

Southern Miss.

Southern Miss' Aggressive Rally Falls Just Short to FAU

2/26/2021 10:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Game Book (PDF)

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss found some magic last Friday in Miami, rallying from 16 points down to win at FIU, but a furious rally from a 52-35 deficit to Florida Atlantic seven days later was too much to overcome in a 69-60 defeat.

The two teams will meet again Saturday at 4 p.m., which will also serve as Southern Miss' Senior Day for LaDavius Draine and Clay Weatherspoon.

"First of all, give Florida Atlantic credit," head coach Jay Ladner said. "They shot the ball really well in the first half. The real difference in the game was that the guys battled and cut it to three points, but it's hard to win when you're down 17. We knew they were big and physical, especially with their forwards, and they out-sized us in what was also a physical game."

The Owls were 10-for-17 from deep in the first half compared to Southern Miss' 3-for-8, making for a 43-30 difference at the break. There were only five combined points by the teams for the first 7:16 of the second period.

Southern Miss reeled off an 8-0 run to pull within 52-44 at 8:44, but FAU snapped its 0-for-8 start to the frame with one from the corner at 7:59. It was just a 60-57 margin with 3:48 left, but an FAU three-pointer, followed by two Golden Eagle free-throw misses and another Owl triple put an end to the rally.

LaDavius Draine led the Golden Eagles with 17 points, including a 4-for-8 clip from deep.

"I was glad to see LaDavius Draine come back, and he really showed it last week at FIU," Ladner said. "We're not far away. We have to figure out a way tomorrow to limit their three-point shooting and play a little bit better, especially after 18 turnovers and 10 missed free-throws."

NOTABLE
-Southern Miss had won the previous three meetings but now leads 6-3 in the series.
-The 25 free-throw attempts tied for the second-most on the season (26 vs. UTEP, 25 at UTSA).
-Justin Johnson (11 points) reached double-figures for the fourth time this season and second of the last three games.
-All 11 of Tyler Stevenson's points came in the second half.