FORT MYERS, Fla. - On a night dedicated to the 2023-24 class of Florida Gulf Coast University men's basketball seniors, a junior stole the show as Zach Anderson scored a career-high 26 points to lift the Eagles to a clutch 90-81 win over Queens University of Charlotte tonight at Alico Arena in Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball action.

Each of FGCU's seniors had big games, starting with Keeshawn Kellman's ninth double-double of the season on 18 points and a career-best 14 rebounds. Isaiah Thompson scored all 16 of his points in the second half and added a game-high five assists. Franco Miller, Jr., pumped in 11 points, with Dakota Rivers rocking the rim on an alley-oop en route to four points. Cyrus Largie scored his 900th career point in an FGCU uniform in his final game in Alico Arena.

But the night belonged in many ways to Anderson. The Apopka native went 10-of-14 from the field, including a 4-of-4 clip from the 3-point line. He also added four assists as the Eagles dished out 18 on the night, the most they've had in an ASUN game this season.

"Zach opens the floor for others," said FGCU head coach Patrick Chambers. "Now, other teams are worried. 'Should we double Keeshawn? Because Zach Anderson is on fire. Are we going to double Zach Anderson?' Because then Isaiah made three 3-pointers tonight. So when Zach is able to score the basketball, it opens up so much more for everybody else."

While FGCU (12-17, 6-8 ASUN) started all five of its seniors, it was Queens that started on fire as a unit. Even after an FGCU timeout that led to substitutions just over three minutes into the game, the Royals connected on 9-of-13 to begin the game, and the guests led 23-9 seven minutes into the contest.

"I always want to do the right thing," Coach Chambers said, "even though I felt this was a must-win and our last one at home and maybe nail our ASUN tournament chances. But I think you've got to do the right thing. I wanted to give our seniors, two of which in Dakota and Cyrus have been here for five years. Franco transferred in, but he's been here for four years. I wanted to give these guys a real chance, and that's what I tried to do. Isaiah could have left and went anywhere. Keeshawn could have gone anywhere, but he came here. In the end, they were in there for most of the time [tonight], so I'm happy for them." 

The Eagles would slowly battle back, with a 9-0 run featuring five points from Dallion Johnson making it 32-all. The Eagles would briefly hold the lead, but the Royals (12-18, 6-9 ASUN) led 39-38 at the half.

"The message was attitude. Keep our composure," said Kellman. "At the end of the day, we know who we are and we know what we're capable of doing"

A Kellman hook on FGCU's first possession of the second half gave the lead back to the Eagles and they would never trail again. A Thompson 3-pointer on a kick-out from Kellman gave the Eagles a 50-43 lead and forced Queens into a timeout. After the stoppage, Largie came away with a steal, Thompson found Miller, Jr., for a lay-up, and the lead was up to nine.

Queens would cut the deficit to four, 77-73, as the clock waned under 2:30. While echoes of an earlier loss at Queens might have been going through some minds, it wasn't going through the mind of Thompson, who drilled a 3-pointer with 2:13 to go. One defensive stop later, Johnson drained another triple to push the lead to 10 and the Eagles into the win column.

Thirty seconds after grabbing his 14th and final rebound of the night, Kellman was substituted out for the final time, pumping up his arms to the adulaton of the Alico Arena faithful. "This whole time just flew by," Kellman said. "But I've enjoyed every minute I've been here at FGCU. From being on the floor to being with my guys to just being in the community. I wouldn't trade this for anything."

The Eagles now have two games on the road to wrap up the regular season, beginning Wednesday night at the University of North Florida. Tip-off in Jacksonville is slated for 7 p.m. Read Full Article