Florida Atlantic 75, Middle Tennessee 67

2/23/2008 10:17 PM

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) -Carlos Monroe's double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds helped Florida Atlantic to a 75-67 win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday night.

Florida Atlantic (13-16, 7-9 Sun Belt) got off to a 9-2 start after two lay-ups by Carderro Nwoji, who added 14 points for the Owls.

Middle Tennessee (13-14, 10-7 SBC) tightened things up in the first, cutting the lead to one after a lay-up by Nigel Johnson. After that lay-up, Florida Atlantic went on a 13-0 run putting them up 39-25 at the half.

Florida Atlantic increased the lead to 16 after a jumper by Monroe made it 43-27. Middle Tennessee fired back, down 62-50 with five and a half minutes left, the Blue Raiders went on a 10-0 run and Desmond Yates? jumper made it 62-60 with 3:20 left.

The Owls sealed the victory from there after Paul Graham made a lay-up and knocked down four free-throws.

Kevin Kanaskie led Middle Tennessee with 21 points, he was 12 of 12 from the free-throw line. Desmond Yates had 18 points and Demetrius Green added 13.