Florida Atlantic (9-19, 2-15 in Conference USA) came away with a 62-59 win over the UAB Blazers, snapping an 11-game streak.

“I felt like as a unit we would get down on ourselves and feel sorry for ourselves, that was definitely the lowest point for me,” said sophomore guard Marquan Botley about the worst time during the 11-game losing streak.

The Owls were undermanned as they only had nine of their 15 players suited up. Senior centers Justin Raffington and Brian Hornstein, and sophomore guard D’Andre Johnson all were unavailable because of injuries. Raffington with a foot injury, Hornstein with an ankle injury, and Johnson with a shoulder injury.

Heading into the game, Raffington led the team in rebounds per game (7.2) and Johnson was third on team in 3-point shooting percentage at 35 percent.

“Playing behind Justin is showing me that I have to be better for next season,” said freshman center C.J. Turman.

The Owls started off the game shooting poorly, missing their first six shot attempts and falling behind by seven points within the first seven minutes of the game. They shot 17 percent from the field within the first six minutes of the game, and they shot 43.4 percent on field goals for the game.

They closed out the half on an 8-0 run, leading 32-27 thanks to 18 rebounds in the first half and strong shooting from junior guard Jackson Trapp and sophomore guard Marquan Botley who both hit two 3-pointers.

In the second half, the game was back and forth between the two teams with FAU leading for most of the way.

The Blazers (16-14, 12-5 in Conference USA) were able to get the lead with three minutes left in the game thanks to their rebounding, they out rebounded the Owls by 13 and scored 11 second chance points.

FAU answered back with a 3-pointer from junior forward Javier Lacunza to tie the game with about 50 seconds left in regulation.

With the game tied at 59, and only eight seconds left in regulation, guard  Marquan Botley drove past his man and passed to freshman center C.J. Turman for a dunk which he was fouled on.

“I know they didn’t have any fouls to give and I just wanted to be aggressive and once I got him on my hip I knew C.J.’s guy was gonna come over and I just threw the pass,” said Botley.

Turman made the free-throw to give the Owls a three-point lead and junior forward Jackson Trapp would steal the ball on the ensuing UAB inbound play, sealing the win.

“As Q [Marquan Botley] said ‘it’s tough losing’ I stayed up plenty of nights but I had to make sure my mentality was right and that I could come in and lead these guys,” said head coach Michael Curry about Turman.

Next for the Owls is a home game against Middle Tennessee State on Saturday March 7.

It will be the senior night for forward Kelvin Penn and centers Brian Hornstein and Justin Raffington who are playing their last game in an FAU uniform.

Josue Simplice is the sports editor for the University Press and can be reached at @josuesimplice on Twitter and [email protected] by email.