Zach Anderson matched his career-high with 22 points, and
Keeshawn Kellman added 20, but Florida Gulf Coast University dropped a 78-75 decision to Kennesaw State University in Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball action Friday night in Kennesaw, Georgia.
The Eagles (7-12, 1-3 ASUN) battled the defending conference champions down to the wire, battling back from a 72-67 deficit with 2:56 left to take the lead. Layups by
Franco Miller, Jr., and Kellman brought the Eagles within a point, 72-71, with 1:45 left. After a defensive stop on the other end, Kellman took advantage of a second chance to convert a layup and give the Eagles a 73-72 lead. KSU would come up empty on the next trip down, and
Isaiah Thompson would go to the line and drain two free-throws to give the Eagles a 75-72 lead with 26 seconds to go.
The Owls (12-5, 3-0 ASUN) would rally back. KSU would miss a pair of free-throws, but a foul on a three-point shot would give the Owls a chance to tie the game. After all three shots were drained, the score was even and the Eagles asked for time with a chance to win the game with the final possession. Instead, a turnover led to a three-point shot at the buzzer on the other end, which dropped for KSU to give the game to the home side, 78-75.
Kellman would go 8-of-9 from the field, scoring after his only miss of the night. It was the Allentown, Pennsylvania native's second 20-point performance of the season.
For Anderson, his 22 points were a season-best and matched his mark set twice last season. His eight made baskets also tied a career-high, last reached in the FGCU win over then-No. 7 Florida Atlantic.
Dallion Johnson would score 11 points thanks to three 3-pointers, while Thompson finished the night with 10 points.
The Eagles will be idle until Jan. 20 when Stetson University visits for an ASUN contest. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m. as part of FGCU Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend.
