HOUSTON, TX (CBS12 News) — Florida Atlantic University showed resilience and growth Wednesday night, battling back before falling to Rice University, 81-73.
Freshman Josiah Parker and sophomore guard Isaiah Elohim led the charge, combining for 34 second-half points on 10-for-15 shooting and 13-for-17 from the free-throw line. Elohim poured in a career-high 22, highlighted by a soaring dunk during a pivotal run.
Trailing by 15 and down double digits with 11 minutes to play, FAU responded with a 12-2 surge. Parker delivered back-to-back three-point plays to erase the deficit and later added another to pull the Owls within 73-71 with just over three minutes remaining.
Though Rice closed the game at the free-throw line, the comeback effort underscored FAU’s fight and the continued emergence of its young core as the Owls head into the stretch run of conference play.