Alijah Martin back on track, Florida Atlantic wins AAC opener over East Carolina | D'Angelo
BOCA RATON — All it took was an open 3. And then another just seven seconds later.
And Alijah Martin was back on track.
Florida Atlantic's preseason American Athletic Conference co-player of the year has been struggling lately and coach Dusty May had the solution.
"He's got to find ways to get some easier baskets," May said.
It wasn't a smooth start for Martin during Tuesday's 79-64 victory over East Carolina, missing his first three shots, a couple of which May said were out of rhythm.
But then Martin found himself wide open for a wing 3. A foul was called under the basket and FAU got the ball back.
And seven seconds later. Another open look. Another 3.
"It felt good," Martin said. "I credit my teammates for finding me and just pat myself on the back for knocking them down."
This was the Martin we saw for much of the Owls' Final Four run last season, and early this season. One of FAU's leaders, he closed with 20 points, equaling Johnell Davis for game-high scoring honors as No. 17 FAU (11-3) opened a new chapter in program history with its inaugural game in the AAC.
"First game in the American, try to get it started off right," Davis said. "We started it off right."
For May, it's just another step in this surreal journey that's hit a few speed bumps this season but nothing the Owls could not overcome.
AAC opener was nationally televised by ESPN2
"It's an honor to be on ESPN2 for your first conference game on a Tuesday night in Boca Raton," May said. "There's a lot of options. There's a lot of teams to put on TV, and we feel like our guys are very attractive. People like watching them play because how the way they share the ball, the way they compete. They're just fun to watch."
Certainly, the team we saw dominate teams from the Big East, SEC and ACC in November, defeat No. 4 Arizona in Las Vegas and then turn a close game into a rout Tuesday by ending with a 14-1 run against the Pirates (7-7).
That team is as entertaining to watch as any in the country. But it's not that way every night. Can't be. And what FAU continues to show is that it can get sideways and just as quickly get back on track.
FAU was coming off a loss at Florida Gulf Coast that was even more inexplicable considering that followed the biggest regular-season win in program history, that overtime thriller over Arizona.
"If you watch sports, now, if you turn on the NFL, you turn on college football, you turn on college basketball, you turn on the NBA, the team that's supposed to win just doesn't win 100% of the time," May said. "So if you don't make your free throws, you don't make your 3s and the other team has quality players and coaches, then you're putting yourself at risk."
Or one of your stars is in a funk.
Martin was 3-for-14 at FGCU, capping a five-game stretch in which he was 17-of-52. May was waiting for Martin to break out. The energy picked up with those 3s Tuesday, and soon after, Martin was streaking down the court for a highlight-reel dunk that got the crowd back into the game after FAU's lethargic start.
Martin had an even better dunk in the second half, driving the baseline and knifing through the Pirates' entire defense to throw one down.
"I thought he got lost competing," was how May described the last handful of games. "He looked like he was back having fun playing ball."
The Owls are receiving most teams' best shot considering everyone they play is looking for a signature win over a Final Four team. FGCU's upset Saturday resulted in the students storming the court.
ECU, picked fifth in AAC preseason poll, was close to its feel-good win until FAU clamped down on defense and got momentum-gaining baskets from Bryan Greenlee, Vladislav Goldin and Martin.
"Over the last couple of years, we've proven we can find different ways to win," May said. "It's a belief in each other. When they look in the huddle, they know someone's going to make a play. But also they really trust each other."
Tom D'Angelo is a sports columnist and reporter for the Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @tdangelo44.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU defeats East Carolina in AAC opener behind Alijah Martin, Johnell Davis
