BOCA RATON -- Florida Atlantic opened up a close game with FIU late in the third quarter of Don Shula Bowl XVI to defeat the Panthers 52-24 on Saturday night at FAU Stadium.

With the win the Owls reclaimed the Don Shula Award for the next year and also clinched a berth in the Conference USA Championship by winning the East Division. FAU will host North Texas on Dec. 2 for the C-USA title.

The Owls (8-3, 7-0 C-USA) started fast racing to a 14-0 lead but the Panthers (6-4, 4-3 C-USA) battled back in the second quarter.

FIU quarterback Alex McGough connected with Darrius Scott on a 13-yard touchdown pass to cut the FAU lead in half. Jose Borregales made it a four-point game after knocking home a 31-yard field goal.

FAU managed to score just before halftime to take a 21-10 lead into the locker room.

The Owls extended their lead early in the third quarter to 27-10 after Kalib Woods sprinted 79 yards for a touchdown on a slant pass from Jason Driskel. FAU kicker Greg Joseph missed the extra point.

The Panthers came right back to close within 10 points. FIU drove 75 yards on seven plays culminated by a 14-yard touchdown run by Alex Gardner, who rushed for 56 yards in the game.

However, it would be as close as FIU would come the rest of the night. The Owls outscored the Panthers 25-7 in the final 21 minutes of the game.

The final FIU touchdown came on an outstanding catch by freshman receiver Shermar Thornton. On the play McGough rolled right and heaved a deep pass to the right front corner of the end zone. Thornton leaped to grab the football and as he came down with the ball he pinned it to his back to secure the 39-yard touchdown. Thornton led FIU with 55 receiving yards.

Anthony Wint paced the FIU defense with 11 tackles – the fourth double-digit tackles game for the senior linebacker this season. After his second tackle on Saturday, Wint moved into second place on the FIU career tackles list passing former FIU linebacker Scott Bryant (302 tackles). Wint currently has 312 career tackles. Former FIU and current Tennessee Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien is the all-time FIU tackles leader with 365.

Woods was named the Shula Bowl MVP for FAU after catching seven passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Woods also caught a two-point conversion.

McGough was named the Shula Bowl MVP for FIU. The senior completed 20 of 32 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns.

Up next for FIU is a game the day after Thanksgiving. The Panthers host Western Kentucky on Friday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. from Riccardo Silva Stadium.