March 3, 2001

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. - In their final game at home, Florida Atlantic University's three seniors treated fans to a comeback victory over visiting Samford University 80-73 Saturday afternoon at FAU Gymnasium.

Ruta Griniute tied an FAU record with 10 blocks, all in the second half, while scoring nine points and grabbing eight rebounds. Tamala Vaughn led all scorers with 21 points to go along with her 11 rebounds. LaTorria Matthews also had a double-double for FAU with 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Griniute, Vaughn, and Matthews were all honored prior to the game as part of senior day.

It took a while for FAU to get going as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 33-23 lead with 4:47 to play in the first half. A 14-7 run by FAU to close the half, capped off by a Shayla Thompson three-pointer with 24 second left, pulled the Lady Owls to within 40-37 at the break.

A jumper by Matthews with 15:42 to go gave FAU their first lead of the game at 50-49. Trailing 52-50 with 15:22 remaining, the Lady Owls went on a 6-0 run to take the lead for good. FAU's largest lead was eight points on two separate occasions, the last of which followed a Matthews trey with 1:19 left to give FAU a 78-70 advantage. FAU outshot Samford 42-percent to 38-percent and outrebouned the Bulldogs 53-51. Both teams combined for 20 blocks, including 11 for the Lady Owls.

Sumika Alexander followed her career-high on Thursday night with another career high in scoring 14 for the Lady Owls while tying a career-high with nine rebounds.

Two Bulldogs finished with double-doubles as Giovanni Price had career-highs with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Noot Pittman finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Aimee Cochran and Wendi Wilcox added 11 points and 10 points, respectively.

The victory solidifies the seventh-seed for the Lady Owls in next week's TAAC Tournament. Samford falls into an eighth place tie with Jacksonville State. Samford won the coin toss held at the Conference office and will be the eight seed while JSU will be the ninth seed. Samford and Jacksonville State will play in the opening game of the TAAC tournament on Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET. Florida Atlantic and Mercer will follow at 8 p.m.