FORT MYERS, Fla. - Fresh off a victory to end a road trip, Florida Gulf Coast University's men's basketball team will start off a four-game homestand this Friday as it takes on Florida Memorial University. Tipoff in Alico Arena is set for 7 p.m., with live streaming available via ESPN+.
The Eagles (4-9) had their best defensive game of the
Pat Chambers era Tuesday night in Savannah, Ga., as FGCU earned a 53-42 victory. The 42 points were the fewest allowed by a Chambers squad in his two seasons at FGCU and were the fewest points since allowing 39 at NJIT Feb. 22, 2020.
Offensively,
Keeshawn Kellman has proved to be a force to be reckoned with on the inside. The senior from Princeton University is second in the country in field goal percentage, hitting on 70.4 percent of his shots so far this season. On shots inside the three-point line, Kellman is connecting on 74.1 percent of his attempts.
The Eagles are continuing to try to build cohesion in the lineup as the schedule tilts towards Atlantic Sun Conference play. Coach Chambers has had to make adjustments with
Andre Weir (labrum) and
Chase Johnston (lower body) out for the season and ASUN Preseason All-Conference member
Isaiah Thompson trying to recover from a lower body injury that has kept him out since the road contest at Florida International University.
Cyrus Largie had his first start in seven games in FGCU's last contest and delivered with seven points, nine rebounds and four steals.
Franco Miller, Jr., shifted to a role off the bench and had eight points, five rebounds, and three assists.
In his seventh-straight start,
Dallion Johnson led the Eagles against Georgia Southern with 14 points. The junior played a season-high 36 minutes in the victory for FGCU. Kellman and
Zach Anderson are the only two Eagles to have started in every game this season, Anderson has reached double-digits in points in 10 of the 13 games this season, with Kellman scoring in double-figures in five games in a row.
Florida Memorial University is considering the contest an exhibition game. Out of The Sun Conference in the NAIA, the Lions have started the season 11-1 and have earned a No. 22 ranking among NAIA teams. On Wednesday night, FMU picked up an 88-83 win in overtime over No. 17 Morningside.
Following Friday night's game, the Eagles will be back in action Dec. 30 at Alico Arena against No. 14-ranked and 2023 Final Four participant Florida Atlantic University.
