South Alabama fell to Florida Atlantic 70-59 on Thursday night as a late 13-0 run by the Owls handed the Jaguars their third consecutive loss. The defeat dropped South Alabama to 12-10 overall and 4-6 in the Sun Belt Conference, leaving the Jaguars fifth in the league’s East Division, ahead of only Florida International.
Fast Start Fades
The Jaguars opened with a 16-6 lead as Florida Atlantic missed its first seven three-point attempts. The Owls then took control with a 20-5 run.
South Alabama stayed within reach and pulled even at 53-53 with 5:09 remaining when Philip Tabet made two free throws. Florida Atlantic answered with 13 unanswered points over a span of 3:38 to put the game away. The Jaguars went 9 minutes, 10 seconds without a field goal late in the second half, missing 10 consecutive shots during the drought.
Shooting and Rebounding
South Alabama’s defense held Florida Atlantic to 39.7 percent shooting from the field, but the Jaguars shot 32.8 percent. The Owls also won the battle of the boards, 47-38.
Tim Williams was the only South Alabama player in double figures with 14 points. Tabet grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.
- Final: Florida Atlantic 70, South Alabama 59
- Field goal percentage: South Alabama 32.8, Florida Atlantic 39.7
- Rebounds: Florida Atlantic 47, South Alabama 38
- Tim Williams: 14 points
- Philip Tabet: 10 rebounds (career high)
Roster Changes
The skid has come as South Alabama works through roster losses. Two players were lost for the season for academic reasons, and Gary Redus recently returned from an injury.
Arrow: Execution Late Is the Issue
South Alabama coach Ronnie Arrow credited Florida Atlantic and coach Mike Jarvis after the game.
“They had big shots and they executed,” Arrow said. “He has done a phenomenal job with a young bunch, of getting them to buy into patience on offense. They get after you on defense.”
Arrow said his team’s losses have come down to the closing minutes. “We’re not doing enough late. Every game we have lost is at the end and we just don’t execute,” he said. “We were shooting 46 and 52 percent from the field, now the last two games we’re shooting in the thirties. It’s just poor shot selection.”
Next Up: Troy
South Alabama will try to end the losing streak Saturday at Troy, which is 11-10 overall and 6-4 in Sun Belt play. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
