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For their first trip to the state of California since 2002, the Owls (8-3) will take on a Saint Mary’s team (9-2) that is coming off four straight NCAA Tournament berths.
LAST TIME OUT
FAU is fresh off two wins at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena in the previous week, reaching 100+ points in consecutive games for the first time in program history. The Owls took care of business against Saint Leo, winning 112-55, followed by defeating UAlbany by a score of 105-79. Redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool earned his second American Conference weekly honorable mention in as many weeks after averaging 19.5 points per game to go along with 14 total rebounds in the pair of victories.
ABOUT THE OWLS
- Head Coach John Jakus is in his second season at the helm of the program. In his debut campaign in 2024-25, he was a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, given to the nation’s top first-year head coach. Under Jakus’ watch, the Owls participated in their fourth straight year of postseason play, selected to the 2025 National Invitational Tournament.
- FAU boasts eight international players. In total, the Owls are represented by seven different countries: the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Senegal, and France.
- Vanterpool is off to a career-best start to the season, leading FAU in points per game (17.5), rebounds per game (7.3), and steals (18), and is second in assists (30) and blocks (eight). Against Coastal Georgia, he scored 30 points, the first Owl since Johnell Davis in January of 2024.
- Junior guard Kanaan Carlyle reached the 20+ point mark in three consecutive games, the first Florida Atlantic player to do so since Vlad Goldin in March of 2024. He is second on the team in points per game at 15.3 and ties for the lead in assists per game (3.1). Carlyle is the only Owl with 500 career points.
- As a team, the Owls are No. 10 in the nation in blocks per game (6.3). Leading the category individually is redshirt sophomore forward Devin Williams at 3.1 per game. He ranks No. 6 nationwide.
- Parker was named the American Conference’s Preseason Freshman of the Year and earned an in-season Freshman of the Week after scoring 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting in the Owls’ comeback win over Florida Gulf Coast.
- Florida Atlantic was ranked sixth in the American’s preseason poll.
ABOUT THE GAELS
- Saint Mary’s has been led by Randy Bennett since 2001, currently the fifth longest tenured head coach with one program. Under Bennett’s watch, the Gaels have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances with a Sweet 16 berth in 2010.
- The Gaels are one of the top defenses in the nation, holding opposing teams to 63.9 points per game, which ranks 17th in Division I.
- Andrew McKeever, the Gaels’ redshirt sophomore center, is 16th in the country in rebounds per game (10.2)
- Ranking No. 5 nationwide, Saint Mary’s has converted 79.9% of its free throw attempts.
- Junior forward Paulius Murauskas leads the way in scoring at 18.3 points per game.
- This marks the first meeting between the Owls and the Gaels in their respective schools’ history.
UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will conclude non-conference play in Orlando for a neutral site matchup versus UCF. The Owls are making their return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort for the “Holiday Festiball.” Tipoff is at 2 p.m.
SCHEDULE
Click here for the 2025-26 schedule.
ROSTER
Click here for the full 2025-26 men’s basketball roster.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men’s basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
Florida Atlantic’s 2025-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.
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For their first trip to the state of California since 2002, the Owls (8-3) will take on a Saint Mary’s team (9-2) that is coming off four straight NCAA Tournament berths.
LAST TIME OUT
FAU is fresh off two wins at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena in the previous week, reaching 100+ points in consecutive games for the first time in program history. The Owls took care of business against Saint Leo, winning 112-55, followed by defeating UAlbany by a score of 105-79. Redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool earned his second American Conference weekly honorable mention in as many weeks after averaging 19.5 points per game to go along with 14 total rebounds in the pair of victories.
ABOUT THE OWLS
- Head Coach John Jakus is in his second season at the helm of the program. In his debut campaign in 2024-25, he was a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, given to the nation’s top first-year head coach. Under Jakus’ watch, the Owls participated in their fourth straight year of postseason play, selected to the 2025 National Invitational Tournament.
- FAU boasts eight international players. In total, the Owls are represented by seven different countries: the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Senegal, and France.
- Vanterpool is off to a career-best start to the season, leading FAU in points per game (17.5), rebounds per game (7.3), and steals (18), and is second in assists (30) and blocks (eight). Against Coastal Georgia, he scored 30 points, the first Owl since Johnell Davis in January of 2024.
- Junior guard Kanaan Carlyle reached the 20+ point mark in three consecutive games, the first Florida Atlantic player to do so since Vlad Goldin in March of 2024. He is second on the team in points per game at 15.3 and ties for the lead in assists per game (3.1). Carlyle is the only Owl with 500 career points.
- As a team, the Owls are No. 10 in the nation in blocks per game (6.3). Leading the category individually is redshirt sophomore forward Devin Williams at 3.1 per game. He ranks No. 6 nationwide.
- Parker was named the American Conference’s Preseason Freshman of the Year and earned an in-season Freshman of the Week after scoring 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting in the Owls’ comeback win over Florida Gulf Coast.
- Florida Atlantic was ranked sixth in the American’s preseason poll.
ABOUT THE GAELS
- Saint Mary’s has been led by Randy Bennett since 2001, currently the fifth longest tenured head coach with one program. Under Bennett’s watch, the Gaels have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances with a Sweet 16 berth in 2010.
- The Gaels are one of the top defenses in the nation, holding opposing teams to 63.9 points per game, which ranks 17th in Division I.
- Andrew McKeever, the Gaels’ redshirt sophomore center, is 16th in the country in rebounds per game (10.2)
- Ranking No. 5 nationwide, Saint Mary’s has converted 79.9% of its free throw attempts.
- Junior forward Paulius Murauskas leads the way in scoring at 18.3 points per game.
- This marks the first meeting between the Owls and the Gaels in their respective schools’ history.
UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will conclude non-conference play in Orlando for a neutral site matchup versus UCF. The Owls are making their return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort for the “Holiday Festiball.” Tipoff is at 2 p.m.
SCHEDULE
Click here for the 2025-26 schedule.
ROSTER
Click here for the full 2025-26 men’s basketball roster.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men’s basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
Florida Atlantic’s 2025-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.
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