The Florida Atlantic Owls women’s basketball team lost a close game to the Charlotte 49ers, 57-56, on Tuesday at Abessinio Court in Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
With this result, the Owls’ record stands at 12-16 overall and 6-10 in American Athletic Conference play. The Charlotte 49ers improve to 13-15 for the season and hold a conference record of 7-8.
The game saw both teams exchanging leads throughout. Grace Carstensen started the scoring for Florida Atlantic with a three-pointer. After an early deficit, the Owls responded with an eight-point run to end the first quarter trailing by two points.
In the second quarter, Erin Rodgers and Madi Gewirtz helped tie the score before Vivian Onugha gave Florida Atlantic a brief lead. The Owls finished the half strong with five unanswered points from Ineivi Plata and Rodgers, taking a 30-28 advantage into halftime.
Charlotte opened the third quarter with a run but was answered by back-to-back three-pointers from Rodgers and Carstensen as part of an eight-point surge by Florida Atlantic. The Owls built their largest lead of seven late in the third before Charlotte tied it up heading into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, Jess Moors and Carstensen put Florida Atlantic ahead again, but Charlotte continued to respond. With just seconds remaining, Moors gave FAU a two-point edge before Tanajah Hayes hit her only three-pointer of the night for Charlotte with two seconds left to secure their win.
Rodgers led Florida Atlantic in scoring with 12 points on four-of-nine shooting and was perfect from beyond the arc (2-for-2). She also shared game-high honors in rebounds with eight. Carstensen and Onugha each contributed 11 points. The Owls were perfect from the free throw line (7-for-7) and outshot Charlotte both from the field (45.7 percent to 39.7 percent) and from three-point range (38.9 percent to 23.1 percent).
Florida Atlantic will remain at home for its next matchup against Tulane on Senior Day, scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
For updates on Florida Atlantic women’s basketball, fans can follow @FAUWBB_Hoops on X or @FAUWBB on Instagram or like their Facebook page.
