Game recap: Florida Atlantic basketball defeats Kansas State to reach Final Four

Florida Atlantic basketball are now off to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 9 seed Owls (35-3) first had to face No. 3 seed Kansas State (26-10) in the Elite Eight on Saturday night at 6:09 p.m. in Madison Square Garden in New York City.

FAU completed the biggest NCAA Tournament upset in program history on Thursday, defeating No. 4 seed Tennessee 62-55 after completing a furious second-half comeback.

Head coach Dusty May has led the Owls to the first four NCAA Tournament victories in program history and is now off to the Final Four in Houston.

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Kansas State defeated No. 7 seed Michigan State in overtime in Thursday's opening Sweet Sixteen matchup. Point guard Markquis Nowell turned in one of the best single-game performances in NCAA history with 20 points and a record 19 assists.

The Wildcats were favored with the betting line set a -2 for Kansas State as of noon Friday.

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8:30 p.m. | FAU defeats Kansas State to reach Final Four

FAU basketball has done it!

The No. 9 seed Owls have defeated No. 3 seed Kansas State 79-76 in the Elite Eight at Madison Square Garden to advance to the first Final Four in program history.

Kansas State hit a 3-pointer with 22.8 seconds left to pull within 75-74 but FAU's Michael Forrest hit both free throws to restore the Owls' advantage.

Kansas State scored a quick layup on its next possession and called timeout with 8.6 seconds left. Forrest was again sent to the free throw line with 6.9 seconds and hit both free throws.

The Wildcats lost possession on their final possession to end the game.

8:15 p.m. | FAU nearing Final Four

FAU basketball is inching closer to an improbable appearance in the NCAA Tournament Final Four.

The Owls have maintained a lead over Kansas State through the late stages of this contest as the Wildcats have been unable to hit a field goal for several minutes.

Alijah Martin hit a deep 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to put the Owls on a 15-1 run late in the second half.

Kansas State star Keyontae Johnson committed his fifth personal foul on a 3-point attempt and has fouled out.

FAU leads Kansas State 72-64 with 2:44 to play.

8:07 p.m. | FAU leads Kansas State at the final media timeout

Kansas State is struggling to score in a scoring drought of more than four minutes.

FAU leads Kansas State 65-63 with four minutes left in regulation.

8:01 p.m. | Vladislav Goldin restores FAU lead

FAU leads! Vlad Goldin hauled in a missed 3-pointer and threw down a dunk immediately after the Kansas State timeout.

Johnell Davis then broke free in transition and was fouled. He'll shoot free throws after the break.

FAU leads 64-63 at the under-8 media timeout.

7:57 p.m. | Kansas State maintaining lead

FAU basketball finally got its offense rolling thanks to baskets from Vlad Goldin, Johnell Davis and a corner 3-pointer from Bryan Greenlee.

Markquis Nowell is having a massive performance, however. Nowell banked in a 3-pointer to answer Greenlee and extend the Wildcats' lead.

FAU's Brandon Weatherspoon then hit a transition 3-pointer to help the Owls keep pace and force the Wildcats to take a timeout.

Kansas State leads FAU 63-62. Vlad Goldin has a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

7:46 p.m. | FAU basketball piling up turnovers

Offensive fouls. Sloppy passes. The FAU basketball team is struggling mightily to retain possession.

The Owls endured a scoring drought of more than four minutes, but played good enough defense to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.

Bryan Greenlee hit an open 3-pointer to end the Owls' scoring drought but Markquis Nowell answered with a deep 3-pointer from near the midcourt logo.

Kansas State leads 57-50 at the under-12 timeout.

7:37 p.m. | Kansas State opens second half with a burst

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Kansas State opened the second half on a 6-0 run to take the lead until Johnell Davis tied the game with a layup. Alijah Martin then hit a 3-pointer to restore FAU's lead.

Kansas State leads FAU 49-47 at the under-16 timeout after a Markquis Nowell 3-pointer.

Kansas State's Keyontae Johnson now has three personal fouls.

7:27 p.m. | FAU's Vladislav Goldin praised for first half

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FAU's Vladislav Goldin is drawing rave reviews for his first-half performance.

Goldin is 3-of-4 from the field for 8 points and 8 rebounds as well as 2 assists and 2 blocks.

Halftime show analysts Charles Barkley and Jay Wright were effusive in their praise of the Russian center.

7:12 p.m. | FIRST HALF BY THE NUMBERS

Kansas State's Markquis Nowell leads all scorers with 15 points and 7 assists.

FAU's scoring has been balanced: Alijah Martin leads with 9 points while Vlad Goldin and Bryan Greenlee each have 8 points. Johnell Davis has 6 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Owls are dominating the glass with 22 rebounds to Kansas State's 9 ... FAU is shooting 53.6 percent from the field while Kansas State is hitting 46.7 percent of its shots.

Kansas State star Keyontae Johnson has just 2 points in the first half.

7:08 p.m. | FAU leads Kansas State at halftime

FAU leads Kansas State 42-38 at halftime. The Owls retook the lead with an 11-6 run to close the half.

FAU has 12 assists on 15 made baskets to go with 12 total turnovers.

6:54 p.m. | Kansas State takes lead over FAU

Turnovers are continuing to hamper the Owls as Kansas State retook the lead at 32-31 behind an 8-0 run.

Bryan Greenlee ended the Wildcats' run with a 3-pointer that briefly restored FAU's lead.

FAU and Kansas State are tied at 34-34 at the under-8 timeout. The Owls have 10 turnovers in the first half.

6:38 p.m. | Kansas State fouls put FAU into bonus

FAU has seven turnovers while Kansas State has committed nine fouls in the first 12 minutes.

FAU leads Kansas State 26-22 at the under-8 timeout. The Owls will be at the line for two more free throws after the break.

6:29 p.m. | FAU offense humming despite turnovers

FAU is creating and hitting open shots early vs. Kansas State as Alijah Martin hit a 3-pointer straight out of the media timeout.

However, the Owls have six turnovers in the first seven minutes, which the Wildcats converted into 3-pointers and a Markquis Nowell "and-1" play at the other end.

Vlad Goldin scored four straight points and then dished an assist to Brandon Weatherspoon to give the Owls a 22-18 advantage at the under-12 media timeout.

The Owls are on a 10-2 run.

6:20 p.m. | FAU hits 3-pointer in opening 10 seconds

FAU is off and running as Alijah Martin tracked down the opening tip and passed to a wide-open Bryan Greenlee for a 3-pointer.

Alijah Martin then threw down a poster dunk over a Kansas State defender to light up the Madison Square Garden crowd.

FAU and Kansas State are tied 7-7 at the under-16 timeout.

6:03 p.m. | FAU starting lineup vs. Kansas State

The Owls are rolling out their usual starting group: Johnell Davis, Alijah Martin, Nick Boyd, Bryan Greenlee and Vlad Goldin.

Kansas State will start Markquis Nowell, Cam Carter, Desi Sills, Keyontae Johnson and Nae'Qwan Tomlin.

When is the FAU vs. Kansas State game?

6:09 p.m. Saturday, March 25

Where is the Florida Atlantic basketball game being played?

Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

What channel is FAU basketball on?

TBS (Channel 247 on DirecTV, Channel 139 on Dish)

Where can I watch Florida Atlantic vs. Kansas State on streaming?

March Madness Live (TV provider required), Paramount+ (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial), Fubo (7-day free trial)

How can I listen to FAU vs. Kansas State basketball on radio?

Radio: Fox Sports 640 AM, SiriusXM Channel 201

Online radio: Varsity Network app, SiriusXM.com Channel 964

What's the latest betting line for Florida Atlantic vs. Kansas State basketball?

Kansas State is a 1.5-point favorite over FAU, according to Tipico, the oddsmaker for USA TODAY. The over-under is 144.5 points.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU basketball vs. Kansas State game recap, March Madness game score