Three-point shooting and defense led Florida Atlantic to a 79-64 win over Barry University in an exhibition game Saturday.

Junior forward Kat Wright — who scored 14 points in the first half for the Owls — finished with a game high of 18 points. She hit 4-of-6 attempts from the three-point line and finished 7-of-9 from the field. Wright was “finally” healthy after playing hurt the past two years, according to coach Kellie Lewis-Jay, and her confidence showed.

“[Wright] opens the floor,” said senior guard Morgan Robinson. Before the game, Wright told her team to “drive my side,” because Barry will not leave her open, leaving the lane open to drive, according to Robinson.

The Owls jumped out to an early seven-point lead to start the game after holding Barry scoreless on their first seven possessions. FAU, who led 41-31 at halftime, opened up the second half with a 12-0 run.

“Our starters’ intensity was really good defensively,” said Lewis-Jay. “What we did on [those] runs had to do with our rebounding and our defensive stops. Then you get those easy baskets on the other end.”

Robinson started the scoring with a jumper on the Owls’ first possession of the game. She seemed to bring a quicker pace for the team.

“I think it’s mostly experience and just knowing where to be,” said Robinson. “[We seniors] have to set the tone for every game.”

Lewis-Jay said.“That’s what happens when you’re a senior, you step up every aspect of your game. I am confident in Morgan. She’s doing everything I need her to do.”

Robinson finished the game with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The Buccaneers were able to cut the score down to single digits in the fourth quarter, but FAU never let their lead shrink to fewer than seven points.

Senior guard Ali Gorrell scored the first two baskets of the second half. She finished with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Owls. Gorrell was named to Conference USA’s Preseason All-Conference Team by the website, College Sports Madness.

The Owls’ regular season begins Nov. 13 when they host the Akron Zips at 7 p.m..

Brendan Feeney is a contributing writer for the University Press. To contact him on this or other stories, he can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter.