Florida Atlantic defeated Kansas State on Saturday to advance to the school’s first Final Four. Atlantic defeated Kansas State 79–76 in the Elite Eight. Florida Atlantic defeats Kansas State to advance to the school’s first Final Four.
Florida Atlantic defeats Kansas State to advance to the school’s first Final Four
No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic defeated No. 3 seed Kansas State on Saturday to advance to the school’s first Final Four.
Atlantic defeated Kansas State 79–76 in the Elite Eight.
Both teams Florida Atlantic and Kansas State got off to a hot start,
Team Owl’s big man Vladislav Goldin didn’t make the trading basket to take a 20-18 lead. The Owls would go into the only half time with a 42–38 lead.
Florida Atlantic players celebrate after defeating Kansas State 79-76 – Adam Hunger / AP
The Wildcats rallied in the second half behind star guard Marquis Nowell’s shooting and playmaking abilities.
The Kansas State team led before five, yet the Owls came back in the game.
The Owls took the lead with just over six minutes to play, chasing Alijah Martin’s 17 points.
Owls guard Michael Forrest dropped a clutch free throw to seal the win.
Goldin finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May special speech, along with his team, told the TBS broadcast how Atlantic’s team worked together to create something “special”.
Brandon Weatherspoon #23 of Florida Atlantic celebrates a three-pointer in the second half against Kansas State.
Nowell scored 30 points, 12 assists and five steals in the loss, playing opposite his brother at Madison Square Garden. The 23-year-old easily broke the men’s NCAA tournament record in the team’s Sweet Sixteen win over Michigan State after matching 19 assists.
Florida Atlantic became the second No. 9 seed to make its Final Four appearance in 2013, joining Wichita State. The Owls are also the first program since George Mason in 2006 to make zero Final Four appearances in the men’s NCAA tournament in the same year.
Now this time Owls will play the winner of No. 6 Creighton and No. 5 San Diego State on April 1 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
