Elon Downs FAU

The Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team suffered another close loss, this one 67-62 to Elon on Sunday.

FAU (3-10) struggled to start the first half, falling behind by as many as 16. The Phoenix (7-6) led by 13 at halftime, 40-27. The Owls scored the first nine points of the second half, pulling to within four and prompting an Elon timeout.

The Phoenix pushed the lead back out to nine, but FAU didn't go away, eventually taking its first lead of the day on a Jackson Trapp jumper at the 6:17 mark. The Owls led by three with less than three minutes left before Elon hit three-pointers on consecutive offensive possessions to regain a three-point advantage of its own.

FAU had three opportunities to tie the game, but could not convert. Elon hit for four straight free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Pablo Bertone led the team with 17 points, while Justin Raffington tallied his second career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 13 rebounds.

The Owls will take some time off before facing Warner on New Year's Day at 2 p.m.