Florida Atlantic topples Tulane, maintains conference lead

Devin Vanterpool scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Florida Atlantic to a 79-74 home win over Tulane on Wednesday in Boca Raton, Fla.

Vanterpool shot 6-of-13 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from the three-point line and 5-of-6 free throws. The only other player on the court with as much long-range success was Curtis Williams Jr., who led Tulane with 27 points on 8-of-14 shooting and a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe.

Isaiah Elohim scored 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting and Kanaan Carlyle added 10 points for the Owls, who sit atop the American Athletic Conference with a 6-1 record in league play.

The Owls last led by double-digits in the 16-minute mark of the second half, when a free throw by Josiah Parker put FAU up 71-61 with 4:15 remaining in the game. The Green Wave went on to outscore the Owls 13-8 in the final minutes. Vanterpool iced the game for FAU with a pair of free throws after a tip-in layup from Tyler Ringgold put Tulane within three points with seconds left to play.

The Owls attacked quickly and enjoyed an early 15-10 lead through the first seven minutes of the game. The Green Wave responded with a 12-1 run, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers and a mid-range jumper by Williams, to take a 22-16 lead 10 minutes into the first half.

One minute later, Vanterpool and Carlyle each put up a three-point basket to give FAU back the lead at 23–22. It was the start of a 13-2 run that stretched the Owls’ lead to 29-24 with 6:34 remaining until halftime.

The Owls extended their first-half lead to double-digits after a three-pointer from Yohann Sissoko, going into halftime with a 43-38 lead. Earlier in that run, Vanterpool established his dominance with a pair of dunks after shooting a three-pointer.

The Owls have defended the nest well, improving to 9-1 at home on the season. FAU will take on AAC contenders South Florida and Memphis on the road on Sunday and Thursday, respectively.