NCAA News Wire
Florida Atlantic 54, Ave Maria 43
Neighboring South Florida schools separated by just 125 miles clashed for the second straight season Sunday, and it was Florida Atlantic that prevailed once again against Ave Maria University, this time by a 54-43 score in Boca Raton, Fla.
Last year’s meeting was an 86-51 Owls romp, but this year the defense of Ave Maria – an NAIA Division II school located in Naples, Fla. — kept the score respectable.
Florida Atlantic (2-3) went to halftime with a 20-13 lead thanks to star guard Jackson Trapp, who led all scorers Sunday with 20 points. Trapp scored
a career-high 23 points in the Owls’ game last season against Ave Maria.
The Owls didn’t have any other player reach double figures, but center Justin Raffington flirted with a double-double with nine points and six rebounds, while forward Kelvin Penn added eight points and four boards in the win.
The Gyrenes (5-3) had two players reach double figures in the loss, led by forward Wendall Powell with 14 points. Ave Maria guard Jelani Bonner chipped in 13 points.
The Owls will play their second straight home game Wednesday when they host East Carolina.
Ave Maria, which lost its second straight Sunday, will have time to rest before trying to rebound Dec. 6 at Webber International University.