NCAA News Wire

Florida Atlantic 68, Jacksonville 50

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Florida Atlantic took command in the second half to post a 68-50 victory over Jacksonville in an intrastate nonconference matchup Tuesday night in Jacksonville.

The Owls led 28-27 at the intermission but began to pull away early in the second half, building their first double-digit lead at 41-31 just over six minutes into the period.

The Dolphins scored six unanswered points to get the margin down to four, but the Owls answered and were back up by double digits, 49-38, midway through the half. Their biggest lead was 68-48 with just under two minutes left.

The victory was the sixth for the Owls in their past seven games. Florida Atlantic (7-4) begins Conference USA play by hosting Florida International on Sunday afternoon in Boca Raton.

Jacksonville (5-11) lost for only the second time in five games. The Dolphins won their previous three home games.

The Owls had four players in double figures, with guard Solomon Poole leading all scorers with 19 points, 14 of them in the second half. Guard Marquan Botley scored 14 for the Owls, all in the second half. Guard Jackson Trapp chipped in with 13, and guard Justin Massey had 11.

Guard Kori Babineaux led Jacksonville with 16 points. Guard Andris Misters added 15.