Site: Boca Raton, Fla. (FAU Arena)
Score: FAU 81, High Point 64
Records: FAU (6-4, 0-0 C-USA), HPU (2-8, 0-0 Big South)
Next HPU Event: Wednesday, Dec. 18 -- vs Valparaiso (Mills Center), 7 p.m.
 
BOCA RATON, Fla -- The High Point University men's basketball team was unable to hold on to an early lead and suffered an 81-64 loss to Florida Atlantic on Saturday (Dec. 14) afternoon in its final road trip of the calendar year.
 
After an Owls basket to start the game, High Point proceeded on a 7-0 run for an early lead, which included a pair of baskets in the paint from redshirt sophomore Caden Sanchez. The teams traded baskets before FAU went on 16-0 run over a four-minute span to put the hosts up by double-digits (19-9).
 
HPU proceeded on another 7-0 run to cut the deficit to three that started with a layup from senior Jamal Wright and ended with him hitting a wide open three-pointer where Sanchez drew the double-coverage in the paint and dished it to him on the wing.
 
The Panthers hit a pair of shots to start the half to cut the deficit to seven but were unable to claw their way back into the lead. Florida Atlantic went up by as many as 22 at the end of the closing stanza thanks in part to shooting 60 percent from the field in the half and 53.8 percent in the game.
 
High Point was led in scoring by sophomore Curtis Holland III with 17 points and has now scored in double digits in his last six games. John-Michael Wright chipped in with 12 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds for his first double-double in his career. He has reached double digits in scoring in seven of his first ten games. Jamal Wright finished with 10 points, which is a season high.
 
High Point will be back in action at the Millis Center on Wednesday (Dec. 18) as they host Valparaiso. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
 
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