Nov. 18, 2008
Despite Santa Clara senior John Bryant's 23 second-half points, Shavar Richardson scored 17 points to lead Florida Atlantic to a 65-61 victory over Santa Clara in the consolation round of the NIT Season Tip-Off on Tuesday night.
The two teams will find out Wed., Nov. 19 where they will travel for the next two games of the NIT Season Tip-Off next Mon., Nov. 24 and Tues., Nov. 25.
Carderro Nwoji scored 12 points, including the clinching free throws, for the Owls (2-1).
Bryant had 25 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots for the Broncos (1-2). Bryant played less than two minutes in the first half after collecting two quick fouls and the Owls took a 32-30 lead to the lockerroom at halftime.
There were four lead changes in the final two minutes.
Bryant hit a hook shot to give the Broncos a 58-57 lead with 1:50 to play. FAU's Paul Graham III answered with a three-point play to give the Owls a 60-58 lead.
After freshman James Rahon hit a 3-pointer to put Santa Clara up by a point, Graham connected from beyond the arc to give the Owls a 63-61 lead with 22 seconds left. Rahon finished with 13.
Brett Royster blocked Bryant's shot with 8 seconds left, and Nwoji hit two free throws to seal it.
Santa Clara was down 49-57 before it went on a 9-0 run to take the lead at 58-57. Florida Atlantic managed just four free throws from 7:53-1:20.
The Broncos shot 41.8% to FAU's 49.0%. The Owls shot a perfect 11 of 11 from the free throw line, with the Broncos making 11 of 17.