FAU wishes 'Happy Festivus' in celebration of win over Arizona

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Florida Atlantic University got into the holiday spirit — Festivius style — after defeating a top 10 college men's basketball for the for the first time, No. 4-ranked Arizona.

Saturday's 96-95 double-overtime victory by the 14th-ranked Owls came on Dec. 23, which commemorates the holiday celebrated in the sitcom "Seinfeld."

After the victory, FAU posted a video spoof from "Seinfeld" on social media, including X.

"Festivus" was founded by Frank Costanza, played by Jerry Stiller, and features participants airing their grievances with each other from the past year.

The school also displayed a slot machine showing three Owls logos after winning in the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas.

All joking aside, the victory was significant for the Owls, who are continuing their success from last year when they advanced to the Final Four as a No. 9 seed.

The Official NCAA March Madness X handle described the game Saturday as the "GAME OF THE SEASON" though it's less than a day old.

Johnell Davis scored 35 points, just one short of his career high, and had nine rebounds, for the Owls (10-2).

FAU got off to a weak start.

Just 7 1/2 minutes into the game, FAU trailed by 14 points, 17-13. But the Owls brought it to a 37-31 deficit at halftime. A 16-4 start in the second half gave the Owls their first lead.

The Owls were 1-19 against ranked teams before 2023 but have since gone 5-2 in such games, including Saturday's.

That includes a 96-89 victory over then-No. 12 Texas A&M on Nov. 24 in Kissimmee.

FAU next faces host Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 30 before beginning American Athletic Conference play. This is the first year FAU is in the league after departing Conference USA.