BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by dramatic momentum swings and a frantic final sequence, Florida Atlantic edged Charlotte 77-76 in overtime on Sunday in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball clash at FAU Gymnasium.

The Owls, who trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half and by 10 at halftime, completed their comeback in the extra period, securing the victory on a last-second basket to snap a two-game losing streak and improve to 17-13 overall. The 49ers fell to 15-14, seeing a two-game win streak end in heartbreaking fashion.

Charlotte dominated the opening 20 minutes, fueled by the interior presence of center Anton Bonke. The 7-foot-2 sophomore from Port Vila, Vanuatu, scored 12 of his team-high 20 points in the first half, helping the 49ers build a 45-35 lead at the break. The visitors shot 51.6% from the field in the half while holding Florida Atlantic to 35.9% shooting.

The second half saw a complete reversal. The Owls tightened their defense, generating eight steals for the game to Charlotte’s three, and began chipping away at the deficit. Maxim Logue, a 6-foot-9 forward from Lyon, France, was instrumental in the rally, scoring 10 of his 16 points after halftime. His activity on both ends, which included two blocks and two steals, energized the home crowd of 3,161.

Florida Atlantic finally drew even and took its first lead since the opening minutes midway through the second half, setting up a tense back-and-forth battle down the stretch. With the score tied at 69 and under 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Charlotte’s Damoni Harrison connected on a clutch 3-pointer to seemingly win the game. However, a review determined the shot was released after the buzzer, sending the contest to overtime tied at 69.

The overtime period was a defensive struggle, with both teams combining for just 15 points. Charlotte managed only seven points in the extra frame, missing all five of its 3-point attempts. Florida Atlantic struggled similarly from the field but capitalized at the free-throw line and on second-chance opportunities, finishing with 12 offensive rebounds to Charlotte’s seven.

The game’s decisive moment came in the final seconds of overtime. With the score tied at 75, Florida Atlantic’s Kanaan Carlyle missed a 3-pointer, but Logue secured a crucial offensive rebound and put it back to give the Owls a 77-75 lead with 26 seconds left. Charlotte’s Raúl Villar answered with a 3-pointer with five seconds remaining, tying the game at 77 and appearing to force a second overtime.

On the ensuing inbound play, Florida Atlantic executed perfectly. Carlyle, who finished with 19 points and four assists, drove the length of the court and found Josiah Parker cutting to the basket for a layup as time expired, delivering the 77-76 victory.

Beyond Bonke’s 20 points, Charlotte was led by Ben Bradford’s 20 points and Harrison’s 13. The 49ers were efficient from the free-throw line, making 16 of 19, but were hampered by poor 3-point shooting (8 of 31) and a season-low three assists.

For Florida Atlantic, Logue’s 16 points and nine rebounds paced a balanced attack. Carlyle added 19, Parker finished with 10 points and three blocks, and Niccolo Moretti contributed 11 points in 41 minutes of action. The Owls shot just 15 of 23 from the foul line but owned advantages in assists (8-3), steals (8-3), and blocks (5-1).

According to pregame analytics from Interstat, Florida Atlantic was projected with an 82.1% probability to win and was installed as a 7.5-point favorite. The total score of 153 points went over the betting line of 148.5.

Charlotte next hosts UAB on Wednesday. Florida Atlantic travels to face Wichita State next Saturday.