Florida Atlantic Heads to California for Key Matchup Against Saint mary’s
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Florida Atlantic men’s basketball embarks on a significant road trip to Moraga,California,to face Saint Mary’s on Friday,December 19,with tip-off scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+. This contest marks the Owls’ first visit to the Golden State as 2002.
The Owls (8-3) will challenge a formidable Saint Mary’s team (9-2) boasting four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. This game presents a crucial test for Florida atlantic as they navigate their non-conference schedule.
Florida Atlantic has demonstrated impressive offensive firepower recently, achieving 100-point mark in back-to-back games – a program first. They secured a dominant 112-55 win against Saint Leo,followed by a 105-79 triumph over UAlbany. redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool has been a key contributor,earning American Conference weekly honorable mention recognition for two consecutive weeks. He averaged 19.5 points and 14 rebounds across those two games.
Owls’ Strengths and Key Players
Second-year Head coach John Jakus has quickly established a winning culture at FAU, having been a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award in his debut 2024-25 campaign. Under his leadership, the Owls have reached postseason play for four straight years, earning a berth in the 2025 National Invitational Tournament.
The team’s international flavor is also noteworthy, with eight players representing seven different countries – the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Senegal, and France.
Vanterpool is currently leading the Owls in multiple statistical categories, averaging 17.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 18 steals per game.He recently scored 30 points against Coastal georgia, the highest single-game point total by an Owl since January 2024. Junior guard Carlyle has also been on a scoring tear, reaching the 20+ point mark in three consecutive games – a feat not accomplished by a Florida Atlantic player since March 2024. He currently holds the distinction of being the only Owl with 500 career points.
Defensively,Florida Atlantic ranks 10th nationally in blocks per game (6.3), led by redshirt sophomore forward Devin Williams, who averages an impressive 3.1 blocks per game, placing him sixth in the nation. Freshman Parker was recognized as the American Conference’s Preseason Freshman of the Year and has already demonstrated his potential with a strong performance against Florida Gulf Coast. Florida Atlantic was ranked sixth in the American’s preseason poll.
Saint Mary’s: A Defensive Powerhouse
Saint Mary’s brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for strong defense to the matchup. Led by Head Coach Randy Bennett since 2001 – the fifth longest-tenured head coach with one program – the Gaels have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run in 2010.
A hallmark of Saint Mary’s success is their defensive prowess, currently holding opponents to just 63.9 points per game,ranking 17th in Division I. Redshirt sophomore center Andrew McKeever is a force on the boards, averaging 10.2 rebounds per game, placing him 16th nationally. The Gaels also excel in free-throw shooting, converting 79.9% of their attempts, ranking fifth nationwide. Junior forward Paulius Murauskas leads the team in scoring with 18.3 points per game.
This contest will be the first-ever meeting between Florida Atlantic and Saint Mary’s.
Looking Ahead: Holiday festiball in Orlando
Following the game against Saint mary’s, Florida Atlantic will conclude its non-conference schedule with a neutral site matchup against UCF in Orlando. The Owls will participate in the “Holiday Festiball” at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m. .
For the latest updates on FAU men’s basketball,fans can follow the team on social media @FAUMBB. Florida Atlantic’s 2025-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.
