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Memphis vs FAU basketball game recap, March Madness live updates – Palm Beach Post
The Florida Atlantic men’s basketball team is set for its night in the national spotlight.
The ninth-seeded Owls will face eighth-seeded Memphis on Friday at 9:20 p.m. in first-round NCAA Tournament action in Columbus, Ohio.
FAU (31-3) is enjoying the most accomplished season in school history, shattering the school’s previous best single-season win total (21) en route to Conference USA regular season and tournament championships.
Head coach Dusty May orchestrates a deep Owls rotation with nine players averaging more than 10 minutes per game. Veteran Johnell Davis (13.5 points) and sophomore star Alijah Martin (13.2) lead in scoring while seven Owls shoot 33.3 percent or better from 3-point range.
Memphis (26-8) enters the NCAA Tournament with momentum after defeating No. 1 seed Houston in the championship game of the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
Head coach Penny Hardaway has the Tigers back in the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season.
It’s also Memphis’ second consecutive 8 vs. 9 seed tournament opener. Last season, Memphis defeated Boise State as the No. 9 seed before losing to No. 1 seed Gonzaga 82-78 in the second round.
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Nick Boyd hit a layup at the buzzer to give FAU basketball a 66-65 win over Memphis in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
After recovering possession with 5 seconds remaining, Johnell Davis inbounded to Boyd, who swept through the lane to hit a buzzer-beating layup over multiple Tigers defenders.
Memphis’ desperation final attempt came after the final buzzer.
FAU has a 64-63 lead with less than a minute to play after an offensive putback by Alijah Martin.
Penny Hardaway called a timeout with 54 seconds remaining.
FAU is tied with Memphis 60-60 at the under-4 media timeout.
Johnell Davis has ignited the Owls offense with a pair of 3-pointers that pulled the Owls within a possession. Referees reviewed Davis’ second shot and awarded an extra point during the media timeout.
Memphis’ Kendrick Davis suffered an ankle injury that forced the game to stop with just under 6 minutes remaining. He now appears ready to return to the game.
Alijah Martin snapped FAU’s scoring drought with a 3-point field goal but FAU’s shooting struggles have continued as the Owls have missed 21 of their last 27 shots.
Meanwhile, the Owls put together multiple defensive stops moving into the under-8 media timeout. Memphis leads 51-47.
Memphis star Deandre Williams, who has four personal fouls, has exited the game after playing a clean stretch on the brink of fouling out.
Head coach Dusty May has called a timeout with 9:55 to play as the Owls are on a 5-minute scoring drought, trailing 51-44. The Tigers are on a 6-0 run, capped by a Memphis dunk.
Typically strong from 3-point range, FAU basketball is struggling from down, connecting on just 4-of-18 tries at the under-12 media timeout.
Memphis leads FAU 47-44 with 11:21 remaining. Memphis star Deandre Williams is playing with four personal fouls.
The Owls drew even with Memphis at 43-43 with just under 15 minutes to play in the second half. Palm Beach Lakes grad Giancarlo Rosado leads the Owls with 13 points.
9:20 p.m. Friday, March 17
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TNT (Channel 245 on DirecTV, Channel 138 on Dish)
March Madness Live (TV provider required), Paramount+ (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial), fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Radio: Fox Sports 640 AM, SiriusXM Channel 201
Online radio: Varsity Network app, SiriusXM.com Channel 964