FORT MYERS, Fla. -
Zavian McLean had 16 of Florida Gulf Coast University's 29 bench points but the Eagles dropped a 74-65 decision to St. Bonaventure Wednesday night in front of 3,554 fans at Alico Arena.
"I just want to say thank you to the fans for coming out," said FGCU head coach
Pat Chambers. "We had a great student section and it was nice to be home and have somebody actually cheering for you.
"I told the guys I truly believe there's positive moments and negative moments," Chambers continued. "Right now, we're in somewhat of a suffering and pain type of moment, but these moments are going to help us grow and learn."
The Eagles (0-3) had an early lead thanks to a
Keeshawn Kellman 3-pointer, but St. Bonaventure (3-0) would answer back and take a 17-7 lead before six minutes had elapsed in the first half. From that point on, the Eagles could get within a possession of tying the game, but could never quite get over the hump. FGCU would close within a point, 35-34, with 90 seconds left in the half, but the Bonnies scored the final three points to lead 38-34 heading into the locker room.
The second half would play out in a similar manner. St. Bonaventure built the lead up to 10, 54-44, with 11:50 left to go, but an 8-1 spurt from the Eagles was capped by a McLean jumper in the paint to pull the Green & Blue within three, 55-52. The guests would respond by slowly building the lead back up to double-digits before settling for a nine-point margin of victory.
McLean's 16 points led the team, with
Dallion Johnson scoring 14 and
Rory Stewart matching his career-high with 11. Coach Chambers was happy with the effort McLean put in during his 29 minutes on the court. "The first two games, he's been in foul trouble. Is he going to get 16 every night? I don't know, but he played great defense. He's got to be that Swiss army knife for us where he can do a little bit of everything."
Chance Moore led all scorers with 18 points for St. Bonaventure. In all, the Bonnies had four players in double-figure scoring and scored 18 points off FGCU turnovers.
After the brief respite at home, FGCU will hit the road once again for another contest against a perennial mid-major power as the Eagles visit Drake this Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. EST.
