Owls Take on Gaels in Moraga: Florida Atlantic’s First California Stop Since 2002

FAU Heads West for a High-Stakes Nonconference Test Against Saint Mary’s in Moraga

MORAGA, Calif.- Florida Atlantic’s men’s basketball team travels too California for a Friday night clash with Saint Mary’s in Moraga. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. local time and will be streamed on ESPN+. The Owls carry an 8-3 record as they face a Gaels squad coming off four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Last Time Out

FAU captured back-to-back 100-plus point games at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, defeating Saint Leo 112-55 and UAlbany 105-79. Redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool earned his second American Conference weekly honorable mention after averaging 19.5 points and collecting 14 rebounds across the wins.

Owls at a Glance

• Head coach John Jakus is in his second season. In his debut year, he was a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, and FAU reached postseason play for the fourth straight year, earning a bid to the 2025 National Invitational Tournament.
• FAU features eight international players representing seven countries, including the United States, canada, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Senegal, and France.
• Devin Vanterpool paces the team with 17.5 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game, while contributing 18 steals. He ranks second with 30 assists and eight blocks. He scored 30 points against Coastal Georgia, the first Owl to reach that mark since January 2024.
• Kanaan Carlyle has posted 20+ points in three consecutive games, the first owl to do so since Vlad Goldin in March 2024. He averages 15.3 ppg and 3.1 assists, and is the only Owl with 500 career points.
• The Owls rank No. 10 nationally in blocks per game (6.3).Devin Williams leads the team with 3.1 blocks per game, ranking No. 6 nationally.
• Parker earned the american Conference’s preseason Freshman of the Year recognition and later collected Freshman of the Week honors after a 16-point performance on 7-for-8 shooting in FAU’s comeback win over Florida gulf Coast.
• FAU was projected sixth in the conference’s preseason poll.

Gaels Spotlight

• Saint Mary’s has been guided by Randy Bennett since 2001, making him one of the sport’s longer-tenured coaches. The Gaels own 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run in 2010.
• The Gaels boast a stingy defense, allowing just 63.9 points per game, placing them among the nation’s leaders in that category.
• Redshirt sophomore center Andrew McKeever averages 10.2 rebounds per game, ranking 16th nationally.
• Free-throw shooting is a strength, as Saint Mary’s connects on 79.9% of its attempts (No. 5 nationally).
• Junior forward Paulius Murauskas leads the Gaels with 18.3 points per game.
• This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between Florida Atlantic and Saint Mary’s.

Up Next

FAU closes non-conference play with a neutral-site showdown against UCF in orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the Holiday Festiball. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern time.

Key Facts at a Glance

Category	Florida atlantic	Saint Mary’s
Record	8-3	9-2
Last two wins (points)	112-55 vs Saint Leo; 105-79 vs UAlbany	Held steady; strong defense noted
Leading scorer	Devin Vanterpool (17.5 ppg)	Paulius Murauskas (18.3 ppg)
Top rebounder	Devin Vanterpool (7.3 rpg)	Andrew McKeever (10.2 rpg)
Blocks per game	6.3 (No. 10 nationally)	Strong interior presence (McKeever)
Free-throw %	–	79.9% (No. 5 nationally)

Evergreen Insights for Fans

When FAU and Saint Mary’s collide, the game often hinges on defense and discipline more than sheer athleticism. FAU’s depth and international mix could deliver fresh matchup problems for a Gaels squad that prides itself on efficiency at the line and in interior play. Saint Mary’s reliance on a methodical, defense-first approach will test FAU’s versatility and shot selection. The contest also marks the first-ever meeting between the programs, adding a layer of intrigue for basketball enthusiasts tracking the evolving landscape of mid-major programs looking to prove themselves against established programs.

Two questions for readers: Which team presents the tougher defensive challenge for FAU, and which Owl is most likely to swing the game’s outcome with a standout performance?

Share your pick and thoughts in the comments below.

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.owls Take on Gaels in Moraga: Florida Atlantic’s Frist California Stop Since 2002

Game Overview

• Date & Time: Saturday, December 21, 2025 – 7:00 PM PT
• Venue: Saint Mary’s College, Marty L. Gillespie Gymnasium, Moraga, CA
• Teams: Florida Atlantic Owls (FAU) vs. Saint mary’s Gaels (SMU)
• Broadcast: ESPN+/CBSSN streamed live; local radio on KFOG 104.5 FM

Why This Match Matters

Aspect	Details
Historical Significance	FAU returns to California for the first time since the 2002‑03 season, ending a 23‑year gap.
Non‑Conference Impact	Both programs are targeting an at‑large NCAA tournament bid; a win against a top‑25 Gaels could boost FAU’s RPI adn NET rankings.
Recruiting Spotlight	West‑coast exposure benefits FAU’s recruiting pipeline, especially for California prospects.
Travel Logistics	First‑time cross‑country flight for the Owls since 2021; team will fly from Miami International (MIA) to Oakland International (OAK) and travel by charter bus to Moraga (≈ 25 mi).

Team Form & Recent Performance

Florida Atlantic Owls (12‑3)

• Key Players:

1. Jalen McAllister – senior guard, 18.2 pts/game, 4.7 ast, 2‑way All‑AAC.
2. Nico Bianchi – sophomore forward, 9.8 pts, 6.3 reb.
3. Tyler “TK” Kelley – senior center, rim protector, 2.5 blk/game.

• Recent highlights:
• Defeated UMBC (84‑71) on Dec 2, showcasing a 12‑0 run in the second half.
• Held a 3‑game road winning streak in the SEC/ACC showcase.

Saint Mary’s Gaels (10‑5)

• Key Players:

1. mason Hughes – junior point guard, 16.5 pts, 5.8 ast, All‑West Coast First Team.
2. Eli Guerra – senior wing, 12.1 pts, 4.9 reb,strong perimeter defense.
3. Leo rossi – freshman big man, 7.3 pts,5.1 reb, emerging shot‑blocker.

• Recent highlights:
• Narrow 71‑68 overtime win against Gonzaga (Jan 12) – highlighted defensive resilience.
• Ranked #22 in the AP Top 25 as of Dec 15, marking the Gaels’ highest ranking since 2018.

head‑to‑head Statistics

• All‑Time Matchups: 2 meetings – FAU leads 2‑0 (both during 2021‑22 season).
• Last Encounter (Nov 2022): FAU 78,Saint Mary’s 73 (OT).

Game‑Day Experience

Ticket Options

• General Admission: $22 – includes access to the main gym floor, standing room only.
• Student Section: $15 – verified student ID required; designated “Owl‑Nest” area for FAU fans.
• Premium Seating: $45 – reserved seats behind the baseline, includes program booklet and post‑game meet‑and‑greet with selected players.

fan Travel Tips

1. Parking: On‑site lot (Lot A) fills quickly; arrive by 5:30 PM for best spots.
2. Public Transit: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to Richmond Station, then a 15‑minute shuttle service to campus (shuttle runs every 30 min on game day).
3. Local Eats: Grab a “Gaelic Goulash” at the campus cafeteria or a “Hurricane‑Wing” combo at the nearby Moraga Brewing Co. for a true game‑day flavor.

Tactical Preview

Owls’ Strengths to Exploit

• Perimeter Scoring: McAllister’s three‑point accuracy (38% this season) can stretch the Gaels’ zone defense.
• Transition Pace: FAU averages 18 fast‑break points per game; exploiting Saint Mary’s slower half‑court sets will be key.

Gaels’ Counter‑Strategies

• Physical Frontcourt: Rossi’s size inside could challenge Kelley’s post defense, especially on second‑chance points.
• Press Defense: The Gaels thrive on full‑court press; FAU must maintain composure to avoid turnovers in the early minutes.

Potential Game‑changing Plays

• Pick‑and‑Roll Variations: McAllister + Bianchi – creates mismatches on the wing.
• Zone Penetration: Hughes driving into the paint, drawing double teams, then kicking out to open shooters.

Implications for Postseason

• FAU’s NCAA Outlook: A win against a top‑25 opponent could elevate the owls into the Top 30 of the NET rankings, increasing their at‑large bid probability.
• Saint Mary’s Tournament Seeding: maintaining a win keeps the Gaels in contention for a West Coast Conference (WCC) tournament top seed and solidifies their “bubble” status.

Community & Academic Angle

• Student‑Athlete Exchange: FAU will host a “Cultural Day” at Saint Mary’s campus, with academic seminars on sports management and marine biology (leveraging the Bay Area’s research facilities).
• Charitable Outreach: Both programs have pledged to donate a portion of ticket sales to the California Food Bank, aiming for a $10,000 contribution on game day.

Real‑World Example: 2023 West Coast Road Trip Success

In 2023, the San Diego State Aztecs‘ cross‑country road trip to the midwest resulted in a 12% boost in West‑coast recruit inquiries and a 5‑point increase in average home‑game attendance the following season. FAU hopes to replicate this growth pattern by re‑establishing a foothold on the West Coast.

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