BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — Florida Atlantic used a dominant first half and a balanced scoring attack to cruise past Wichita State 88-64 in an American Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at FAU Gymnasium.

The Owls, who led wire-to-wire, improved to 8-9 overall and evened their conference record. The Shockers dropped their fourth consecutive game, falling to 3-15.

The game was effectively decided in the opening 20 minutes as Florida Atlantic built a commanding 45-25 halftime lead. The Owls shot 50% from the field in the first half, including 6 of 13 from three-point range, while their defense stifled Wichita State into 10-of-33 shooting and forced 10 turnovers.

Wichita State guard Abby Cater, a sophomore from PG County, Maryland, led all scorers with 17 points, adding four steals. Jaida Mcdonald of Dallas contributed 10 points for the Shockers. Their efforts, however, were overwhelmed by a deep and efficient Florida Atlantic lineup that placed five players in double figures.

Florida Atlantic guard Michiyah Simmons, a local product from Pompano Beach, matched Cater’s 17 points and dished out a game-high four assists. Forward Vivian Onugha of Lagos, Nigeria, was a force inside with 16 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double. Grace Carstensen of Hinsdale, Illinois, scored 15 points, all from beyond the arc, hitting 5 of 9 three-point attempts. Jess Moors of Auckland, New Zealand, added 11 points, and Madi Gewirtz of Gilbert, Arizona, chipped in 10.

The most important stretch of the game came late in the second quarter, when the Owls broke the game open. Leading 32-29 with under four minutes to play in the half, Florida Atlantic unleashed a 13-0 run to seize a 45-29 advantage. The surge was fueled by consecutive three-pointers from Carstensen, who hit two, and another from Madi Gewirtz. The Shockers, who struggled offensively all night with a 33.8% field goal percentage and 15% shooting from three-point range, went scoreless for over three minutes during the decisive run and could not mount a challenge after halftime.

Florida Atlantic maintained its offensive efficiency throughout, finishing the game shooting 51.6% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range. The Owls also won the rebounding battle 42-34 and scored 19 points off 15 Wichita State turnovers.

The Shockers showed brief life in the third quarter, outscoring the Owls 18-22, but never cut the deficit below 16 points. Sophie Benharouga of Grenoble, France, scored seven points off the bench for Wichita State.

The announced attendance was 445.

Wichita State will look to snap its skid on the road at South Florida on Saturday. Florida Atlantic returns to action at home Friday against Texas-San Antonio.