Jaimie Givens and Breana Cox had 19 points each to lead visiting Florida Atlantic to a surprisingly easy 75-48 win over host South Carolina State Saturday in a non-conference contest at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

Carla Stubbs contributed 12 points and Shuteamia Brayboy 10 and a game-high 11 assists for the Lady Owls, who improved to 4-6 with the win.

Cox and Hannah Jones had 10 rebounds each and Givens, the daughter of former Kentucky and National Basketball Association standout Jack Givens, added nine boards for FAU, which enjoyed a 58-32 edge in rebounds.

The Lady Bulldogs lost their second consecutive contest to fall to 3-7 on the season. Coach Tonya Mackey’s team was led by sophomore Marie Reid with 14 points and Sophilia Hipps with 10.

Suspended Lady Bulldog point guard Brittany Baity returned from suspension after missing two games for violation of team rules, but was only 2-4 from the line for two points, however she did have three assists and as many rebounds in the loss.

SC State, trailing 34-24 at half, closed the gap to 44-37 when Hipps made the second of two free throws with 12:14 remaining in the contest. The visitors, however, scored 14 of the next 20 points to move ahead 58-43 after consecutive baskets by Givens with 6:50 showing.

After a layup by the Lady Bulldogs’ Jenell Moore, FAU went on an 11-0 run to build a 69-47 commanding lead and coasted to the victory.

The Lady Owls took a 14-6 lead early in the contest but SC State rallied for a 15-14 advantage with Kristin Johnson got inside for a basket with 10:19 on the first period clock.

The contest was tied once and the lead changed hands twice before a 12-0 run put FAU ahead 29-18 with 5:08 to play. SC State closed the gap to 29-22 on a basket by Hipps with 4:02 remaining, but the visitors closed the period with a 5-2 spree to take a ten-point, 34-24, cushion to the locker room.

SC State will be idle until Dec. 29 when the Lady Bulldogs host Jacksonville in a 2 p.m. contest.

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