FORT MYERS, Fla. - Three players scored in double-figures and Florida Gulf Coast University led from the opening possession onward as the Eagles defeated New College of Florida 87-54 in men's basketball action from Alico Arena Tuesday night.
Keeshawn Kellman scored 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field.
Dallion Johnson connected on five 3-pointers en route to 17 points, with
Chase Johnston tying his season-high with 14 points and
Zach Anderson adding 10. The Eagles (3-7) out-rebounded NCF 48-28, with
Rahmir Barno collecting a season-high nine.
"I was more proud of our defense," said FGCU head coach
Pat Chambers. "I think our defense and rebounding hasn't been where it needs to be at this stage in the season and we still have time to correct it before [conference play]. I felt like our defense created good opportunities on offense. That leads to more open shots, more uncontested shots, and more in-rhythm shots. Give Dallion credit for getting us going and Chase (Johnston) really kept it going until the end there."
FGCU connected on a season-best 51.5 percent on shots from the field, including tying a season-high with 13 made 3-pointers in the game.
Franco Miller, Jr., had eight of the team's 20 assists, the most for the Eagles this season.
The Eagles led 46-27 at halftime. Once
Chase Johnston connected on a 3-pointer with 10:52 left in the first half to make it 26-16, the Eagles would never lead by less than 10 the rest of the way. Johnson scored 14 of his points in the first half, with Kellman netting a dozen in the same period.
The lead would swell to as much as 35 in the second half as almost every Eagle got in on the scoring action.
Josiah Shackleford brought the house down with a thunderous dunk for his first collegiate points as the clock wound under 90 seconds to go. He would close the night with FGCU's final four points as the Eagles marched past the Mighty Banyans for the win.
Jordan Clark's 12 points led NCF. The Mighty Banyans declared Tuesday's game to be an exhibition for the program.
FGCU will be back in action this Saturday with a stiff road test against the University of Minnesota from the Big Ten Conference. Start time is slated for noon on the Big Ten Network.
