Florida Atlantic secured a commanding 94-72 victory over rival South Florida on Sunday, fueled by stellar performances from Tre Carroll and Matas Vokietaitis, who each scored 18 points. The win pushed the Owls to 12-10 overall and 5-4 in the American Athletic Conference, while South Florida fell to 11-11 (4-5 AAC).
Carroll was a force on both ends, adding seven rebounds and five assists, while Vokietaitis delivered an efficient shooting night, hitting 5 of 8 from the field and 8 of 10 from the free-throw line. Niccolo Moretti also played a crucial role, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Florida Atlantic wasted no time electrifying the crowd at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, with each of its first five field goals coming from different starters. That early offensive balance kept South Florida on its heels, but it was the Owls bench that truly made an impact. The combination of Vokietaitis and redshirt sophomore guard Moretti accounted for 13 of the team’s next 17 points, helping FAU build its first double-digit lead.
Kaleb Glenn’s strong finish inside extended the Owls advantage before halftime, and FAU took a comfortable 46-35 lead into the locker room. Moretti paced the first-half effort with nine points, while the Bulls struggled to match FAU’s offensive efficiency.
Florida Atlantic wasted no time reasserting control after the break. On the Owls first offensive possession, Carroll converted a three-point play to ignite a quick 7-0 run, stretching the lead to 18 points. South Florida managed to cut the deficit to nine with 12 minutes left, but FAU responded immediately with a decisive 12-2 run that effectively put the game out of reach.
The Owls dominance inside was a key factor, as they outscored South Florida 42-26 in the paint. Their defensive effort also took over in the second half, holding the Bulls to just 24.2% shooting (8-of-33) over the final 20 minutes.
Vokietaitis put an exclamation point on the win with a highlight-reel alley-oop in the closing seconds, marking FAU’s third straight home victory.
The Bulls were led by Jamille Reynolds, who finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds while adding two steals and two blocks. CJ Brown also contributed 15 points, while Jayden Reid chipped in 12 points and four assists. However, South Florida’s inability to generate consistent offense, especially in the second half, ultimately sealed its fate.
FAU also dominated in ball movement, winning the assist battle 19-9, further showcasing their ability to create high-quality looks.
Florida Atlantic will have a few days to recover before heading on the road to face Tulsa on Saturday, Feb. 8. The matchup, airing on ESPN+, is set to tip off at noon EST. The Owls will look to build on their momentum as they continue their push in AAC play.