Zach Anderson was perfect from the field in the first half and Florida Gulf Coast University opened the game with a 25-4 run before coasting away with an 82-59 win over the University of Central Arkansas in Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball action from Conway, Arkansas Thursday night.
"This was a total team effort on both sides of the ball," said FGCU head coach
Pat Chambers. "I've felt like we've been so close on the road. We had a great week of practice this week and we just kept talking about what we want to be.
Isaiah Thompson filled the point guard role and set the table. Zach was on fire in the first half.
Dallion Johnson got in rhythm when we needed him in the second half."
The Eagles (10-13, 4-4 ASUN) earned their first ASUN road win of the season with one of the hottest starts of the campaign. Anderson scored the first basket of the night 16 seconds in, and after 3-pointers by
Cyrus Largie and Thompson, UCA (8-16, 4-4 ASUN) was forced to ask for timeout less than two minutes into the contest down 8-0. The timeout didn't stem the momentum as the lead soon swelled to 20-2 and the Bears would ask for timeout again 6:30 into the game. By the time Thompson drained another 3-pointer a minute later, the Eagles led 25-4 and wouldn't lead by less than 17 the rest of the way.
FGCU's highest lead would come twice in the second half at 30 points. the last time coming after a nice dunk by
Dakota Rivers made it 69-39 with 11 minutes left in the game. Johnson would lead the way for the Eagles in the second with a dozen points thanks to four 3-pointers as the Eagles cruised to the win.
Anderson would finish with 16 points, completing a double-double thanks to 10 points. The Apopka, Florida native was 6-of-6 from the field in the first half, including a pair of made 3-pointers. Anderson would finish with a team-high four assists, as did Thompson who chipped in a dozen points. Johnson closed the evening with 15 points for FGCU.
FGCU's 14 3-pointers were the most the Eagles have made in a game this season. It matches the 14 3-pointers made last season against UCA. With the Bears managing just 59 points, the Eagles are now 5-0 on the season when keeping their opponents to 65 points or less.
The Eagles will be back in action Saturday at the University of North Alabama. Opening tip is set for 8:15 EST in Florience, Alabama.
