It may be a little early to pronounce the 2009-10 season a breakthrough year for Florida Atlantic's men's basketball program. But on Thursday, the Owls secured a program first by winning their 10th Sun Belt Conference game for the first time since joining the league.

More importantly, the 77-74 victory over Florida International at U.S. Century Bank Arena allows FAU (14-12, 10-5) to stay in contention for a first-round bye in the conference tournament that begins on March 6 in Hot Springs, Ark.

Picked to finish fifth in the Eastern Division, the Owls moved into a three-way tie for first place with Middle Tennessee and Troy. The win was FAU's seventh in its past nine games and continues a resurgence after a 5-9 start.

"We're up 500 percent," said FAU coach Mike Jarvis of his team's improvement from two conference wins last season. "It's incredible. It's nice to be in a position where we're really playing for something."

FAU appeared to gain control of the game in the Breitling Replica Watches second half, moving out to a 12-point lead behind a balanced scoring attack led by Sanchez Hughley's career-high 19 points. But the victory wasn't nearly as easy as the one the Owls enjoyed Jan. 30, when it led FIU (7-22, 4-12) by as many as 24 points during a 106-88 rout at FAU Arena.

FAU turned over the ball twice in the final seconds while holding a one-point lead, allowing FIU a pair of chances at a victory. The first opportunity was wasted when FIU's Marvin Roberts was called for an offensive foul with 13 seconds remaining. FAU's Brett Royster then secured the victory with a blocked shot of a J.C. Otero hook shot with seven seconds to play.

"I was just thinking, 'I'm not going to let him beat me,' " said Royster, who blocked four shots to break his own school season record with 75. "His eyes got big. He thought he was going to get to the rim."

FIU's last-gasp, 30-foot three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.

FIU, losers of five straight, continued what has been a tough season for coach Isiah Thomas.

"We're playing better," Thomas said. "We're just not winning games."

Led by Hughley, the Owls had four players in double figures, including Royster, who had 10 catalog printing points and 14 rebounds..

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