Behind a stellar performance from Tre Carroll, the Florida Atlantic Owls secured an 88-77 victory over in-state rival Florida International on Wednesday night. Carroll, coming off the bench, poured in a career-high 24 points to lead the Owls to a much-needed win, evening their record at 5-5.
Carroll’s spark off the bench was crucial, as he also added five rebounds in just 22 minutes. Kaleb Glenn complemented Carroll’s efforts with 22 points, shooting an efficient 9-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Glenn also grabbed seven rebounds and scored 15 of his points in the second half, where the Owls pulled away. Baba Miller contributed 15 points, shooting 7-of-10 and hitting a crucial three-pointer late in the game.
For Florida International (2-6), Vianney Salatchoum was a force inside, finishing with 20 points and four blocks. Jayden Brewer notched a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while also adding four assists and four steals. Dashon Gittens chipped in 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Owls’ second-half surge.
The first half was a seesaw affair with 12 lead changes and no team gaining a lead larger than six points. Florida Atlantic leaned heavily on its bench, which provided 32 of the team’s 40 first-half points. Carroll was the centerpiece of this effort, scoring 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting in just 11 minutes. His aggressive play in the paint helped the Owls score 26 points near the rim.
Florida Atlantic went into halftime with a slim 40-39 lead, thanks to Carroll’s hot hand and physical play inside.
The Owls opened the second half with energy, as consecutive baskets from Glenn set the tone. A decisive 14-2 run midway through the period gave Florida Atlantic an 11-point cushion. Carroll and Glenn combined for 12 points during that stretch, showcasing their ability to finish at the rim and knock down jumpers.
Florida International battled back, narrowing the gap to single digits behind Brewer and Salatchoum. However, Miller’s late-game three-pointer and a clutch layup from Carroll sealed the victory for the Owls. Florida Atlantic shot a sizzling 63% from the field in the second half, with Glenn and Miller combining for 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting.
With momentum on their side, Florida Atlantic will return to the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena to host Jacksonville (4-4) on Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the third annual Boca Raton MegaBowl. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN+.
For Florida International, the loss marks their fourth straight defeat, and they’ll look to regroup as they continue their non-conference schedule.
