FORT MYERS, Fla. - In the last game before a break for final exams, Florida Gulf Coast University's men's basketball team will take on LSU Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The game will be available via SEC Network+.

The Eagles led 44-33 against Furman at halftime and twice had an advantage of 13 points in the second half, but a stretch over 30 seconds that saw the Paladins score six points would change the momentum of the contest. Once down, however, the Eagles (3-6) still had chances to tie the game or take the lead. Miscues would hurt, as FGCU went 2-of-5 at the charity stripe in the final 2:30 of the game and key late misses and turnovers allowed Furman to hold on for the win, 76-73.

The Green & Blue have started to find some offensive rhythm, scoring 80 against FAU and 73 against Furman. Against the Paladins, four Eagles scored 10 or more, led by Zavian McLean's 19. Part of that effort was a three-pointer at the first-half buzzer to make it an 11-point lead, then a lay-up following a steal on Furman's first possession of the second half to stretch the advantage to 13. Jevin Muniz netted 16 for FGCU in the Furman game, with Dallion Johnson adding 11 and Rahmir Barno tallying 10.

The loss to Furman was FGCU's first without Keeshawn Kellman in the starting lineup. The Eagles had wins over in-state foes FIU and FAU without the sixth-year forward in the lineup. The last three games are the first that Kellman has not been in the starting lineup for FGCU since he arrived in Fort Myers.

For the second game in a row, FGCU faces a team that enters with a 7-1 record. LSU improved to that mark after an 85-75 win over Florida State Tuesday night in the SEC/ACC Challenge game in Baton Rouge. Down three at the half, LSU posted 53 second half points to put away the Seminoles. Cam Carter led LSU with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Jordan Sears hit four treys in scoring 21 points with six boards, while Vyctorius Miller hit 15 in what was his sixth consecutive double figure scoring game.

After Sunday's game, FGCU will be idle until Dec. 18 when it visits UNC Wilmington. FGCU's next home game, and final home game of the 2024 calendar year, will be against Florida Tech Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at the Alico Arena box office, by visiting FGCUTickets.com, or by calling 1-866-FGCU-TIX (342-8849).