Game recap: Florida Atlantic basketball stuns Memphis for first NCAA Tournament win

Eric J. Wallace, Palm Beach Post

March 18, 2023 at 12:47 AM·4 min read

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.

Florida Atlantic guard Nicholas Boyd (2) drives on Memphis Tigers guard Damaria Franklin (55) in the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Friday, March 17, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Memphis or FAU?Who do experts predict to win their NCAA Tournament game?

Extraordinary Owls:Five key factors in FAU basketball's best season in program history

FAU coach:5 things to know about Dusty May

FAU men's basketball updates

11:55 p.m. | FAU beats Memphis at the buzzer

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 WITH THE HUGE BUCKET 🔥

The No. 9 Owls knock off No. 8 Memphis 🦉

(via @CBSSportsCBB)pic.twitter.com/ZJFn0GMzpK
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 18, 2023

11:48 p.m. | FAU leads Memphis with less than a minute to play

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.

11:35 p.m. | Owls, Tigers picking up offense

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.

11:28 p.m. | FAU defense earning stops

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.

11:23 p.m. | FAU reeling against Memphis physicality

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.

11:16 p.m. | FAU struggling from 3-point range

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.

11:10 p.m. | FAU tied with Memphis early in second half

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.

What time does FAU basketball play?

9:20 p.m. Friday, March 17

Where is the Florida Atlantic Owls game today?

Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

What channel is Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis on?

TNT (Channel 245 on DirecTV, Channel 138 on Dish)

How can I watch FAU vs. Memphis on live stream?

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)

How can I listen to Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis basketball on the radio?

Radio: Fox Sports 640 AM, SiriusXM Channel 201

Online radio: Varsity Network app, SiriusXM.com Channel 964

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Memphis vs FAU basketball game recap, March Madness live updates

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