FORT MYERS, Fla. -
Keeshawn Kellman and
Josiah Shackleford combined for 26 points as Florida Gulf Coast University rolled to a 63-52 win over Bellarmine University in Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball action Saturday night in Alico Arena.
The win was the first for the Eagles (11-15, 5-6 ASUN) over Bellarmine in the all-time series. More importantly, it keeps the Eagles in a tie for seventh in the league standings with three teams trailing one game behind as the regular season enters its final five games.
"We knew Keeshawn and Shack were going to have a big night. Those two really went after each other Thursday and Friday in practice. They competed against each other," said FGCU head coach
Pat Chambers. "They really pushed one another, and as much as I love [Allen Iverson], practice does matter. Especially when it comes to our big men, and they did a heck of a job."
Kellman had 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double, his seventh of the season. Shackleford had his best game in an FGCU uniform, scoring nine points and adding four rebounds in 12 minutes off the bench.
Dallion Johnson joined Kellman with 17 points, but while his points were important, he was equally happy to see Shackleford have a big night. "That was big time because we see how hard he works in practice every day," Johnson said. "He just keeps pushing and stays positive, always cheering us on. So when he was able to get going, I was making sure to cheer him on."
Bellarmine (6-20, 2-9 ASUN) led for much of the first half, but a
Cyrus Largie bucket in the final minute of the period gave the Eagles a 29-28 lead heading into the locker room.
The teams traded the lead early in the second half, but once Kellman drained a shot in the paint with 18:02 to go, the Eagles would never trail again. While the lead would be within one possession for much of the half, FGCU would hold the Knights scoreless over the final 2:48 of the game to pull away for the win.
"Anytime you play Bellarmine, you know exactly what you're getting yourself into," said Coach Chambers. "Their offense challenges you and to stay locked in, and I thought our guys were all up for the task. I'm really proud of our guys. After a tough loss Wednesday night, we got home super late. I was worried about our mental and physical fatigue because of how tough that game was. For us to come back and beat a Bellarmine team that these seniors haven't beaten. It's really a great gift for them as we approach this week off to get mentally and physically healthy before we play Stetson."
The Eagles will be idle until Saturday when they play Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. in ASUN action.
