FAU Opens With a Win in Boca Raton: Owls Beat LIU 74-60 at Baldwin Arena
Florida Atlantic led 37-29 at halftime and matched it 37-31 after the break to win its season opener over the defending Northeast Conference champions - the first meeting between the two programs.
Florida Atlantic opened its season at home with a win. The Owls defeated LIU 74-60 on Monday night at Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena in Boca Raton, in the 2026-27 season opener for the Palm Beach County program. FAU built a 37-29 lead by halftime and held it the rest of the way, outscoring the Sharks 37-31 in the second half for the 14-point final margin.
The opponent made it a meaningful opener. LIU arrived as the defending Northeast Conference regular-season and tournament champion, and one of three 2026 NCAA Tournament teams on the early portion of FAU's schedule, according to FAU Athletics - and Monday was the first time the two programs had ever played each other. The Owls are in their third year under head coach John Jakus.
The home stand is the story of FAU's early schedule: the program set a school record with eight non-conference home games this season, FAU Athletics said when the slate was announced, with in-state matchups against FIU and Florida Gulf Coast also on it. The Owls' next home date on that announced schedule is Florida Gulf Coast's visit on Nov. 18, after the William & Mary game in Boca Raton this week.
