Kanaan Carlyle’s 17 points led the way for the Owls (11-6, 3-1). Devin Vanterpool notched a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double - adding 7 assists and 3 steals.
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic’s men’s basketball team picked up perhaps its most impressive win of the season on Sunday, beating the Memphis Tigers 89-78 in an American Athletic Conference showdown.
Kanaan Carlyle’s 17 points led the way for the Owls (11-6, 3-1). Devin Vanterpool notched a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double - adding 7 assists and 3 steals - while Devin Williams scored 12 points and had 7 blocks.
The Owls survived a late surge from the Tigers (7-8, 2-1) to pull off a double-digit home win against the defending AAC champions. That's a good start to 2026 for FAU, following up its 76-71 road win over UAB last week with an emphatic victory over Memphis.
The Owls are back in action on Jan. 15, hosting Wichita State.
“Today is not about me, or us really, it’s about FAU,” head coach John Jakus said. “We just want to keep growing what we’ve got going on.”
Here are the takeaways from FAU’s 11th win of the season:
Owls play suffocating defense to beat Tigers
Florida Atlantic’s defensive effort carried much of the weight in the win over Memphis.
The Owls forced 15 turnovers and had 9 blocks and 8 steals. Despite Memphis shooting 45 percent from the floor, and 43 percent from three-point range, FAU won the battle on the margins.
Williams’ 7 blocks proved huge. The 6-foot-10 redshirt sophomore forward has been one of the best rim protectors in the country this season. He entered Sunday’s matchup averaging an AAC-leading 2.8 blocks per game, also tied for the fourth-highest mark nationally.
“I mean, really, really special,” Jakus said of Williams. “Anytime they’re near the rim, they’re almost chucking it 15 feet in the air just to try to avoid him. We’re growing defensively.”
Owls dominate battle of rebounds
FAU was a force on the glass, snagging 46 rebounds to Memphis’ 29, while also winning the offensive rebound battle 14-5. FAU scored 19 second-chance points to Memphis’ 8 off those offensive rebounds.
“They’re the number one offensive rebounding team in our league, so you come into the game, and you want to win that battle,” Jakus said. “To be plus-11 on the best offensive rebounding team in our league is a real positive thing.”
Vanterpool’s 11 rebounds led the way, Xander Pintelon grabbed 8 rebounds and Williams had 6.
The Owls’ intensity on the glass prevented the game from ever feeling close in the second half, allowing FAU to pull away on the back of its tenacious rebounding.
Devin Williams, Devin Vanterpool excel
The Owls headed into halftime leading by two points despite their strong efforts. They were going to need some big performances in the second half if they hoped to knock off the Tigers.
Pintelon entered halftime with 2 points on 1-for-3 shooting from the floor. He would catch fire in the second half, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the first five minutes to push FAU’s lead past double-digits. Pintelon also added 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
“He came out, and those first three baskets (in the second half) were separators," Jakus said. “It allowed us to breathe, and be a mature team, and I thought the guys grew up today."
The Devins also shined.
“Our half-court defense has been way better these past few games,” Vanterpool said. “[Williams] is the best shot-blocker in the country. He’s doing that, I’m just guarding the perimeter, and doing what all these other guys do.”
They also showed off their chemistry, converting on two alley-oops passes.
“I think it helps that we’ve got the same name,” Vanterpool joked. “He’s such a great kid, and I just love playing with him. Our chemistry is built through adversity, for sure, and you all are just seeing the blueprint."
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU defeats defending AAC champions behind defense, rebounding
Category: General Sports
