MACON, Ga. -
Keeshawn Kellman had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but a second-half lead evaporated as Florida Gulf Coast University dropped a 70-65 decision at Mercer University Saturday afternoon in men's basketball action.
"It's unfortunate. I thought we got better today," said FGCU head coach
Pat Chambers. "We're a few guys down, but I thought our kids competed and took a nice lead. Then, we just relinquished it. Give Mercer credit, they did a nice job down the stretch of making some timely baskets and making their free-throws. That was the difference if you look at the box score. But we got better today. We got better at Minnesota with a good 28 minutes. We played a good 30 minutes today. The goal is to play a good 40 minutes by January."
The Eagles (3-9) trailed 37-32 at the half but stormed to a 49-40 lead after 7:30 thanks to a 17-3 run. "I thought we were aggressive and played really hard. We were connected," Coach Chambers said. "We got stops and then the ball starts to go in. That's how it works, defend and rebound and let that dictate your offense."
The Bears (4-6) would rally back with a 12-2 run over the next three minutes to regain the lead, 52-51, as the game entered its final 10 minutes. While Mercer would open up by seven,
Dallion Johnson drained a 3-pointer to get the Eagles back within four. FGCU could get no closer the rest of the way, as Mercer would make its final six free-throws to seal the 70-65 win.
Kellman's 17 points were a team-best, with
Zach Anderson getting 14,
Franco Miller, Jr., adding 11, and Johnson finishing with 10. The Eagles shot 52.2 percent from the field for the game but saw the Bears connect on 10 3-pointers and 12-of-15 attempts from the charity stripe.
The Eagles will be back in action Tuesday against Georgia Southern University for a neutral site game in Savannah. Opening tip is set for 6 p.m.
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