FORT MYERS, Fla. - Winners of back-to-back games last weekend in Alico Arena, Florida Gulf Coast University will try to repeat the feat this weekend, starting with Thursday night's contest with the University of West Georgia in Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball action. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
The Eagles (8-9, 3-1 ASUN) have won five of their last six games and can get back to .500 on the season with a win over the Wolves. The two teams have already met once before this season, with the Eagles earning a 79-68 win in Carrollton, Georgia. In that Jan. 2 game,
Keeshawn Kellman went 10-of-11 from the field en route to 23 points and 10 rebounds to help the Eagles to the win.
Jevin Muniz had his third-consecutive double-double in the win, picking up 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Since that meeting, FGCU has won two out of three contests while UWG earned one win out of three. The Eagles dropped a 92-83 decision at Queens but won both games last weekend. UWG fell to Stetson but earned its first D-I conference win with a 72-68 victory at Austin Peay last Thursday. Two days later, the Wolves fell 86-67 at Lipscomb.
Since ASUN play started, the Eagles have five players averaging in double-figures in scoring.
Zavian McLean and Muniz are each averaging 14.8 points per game, with Kellman one point behind the two to average 14.5 per contest.
Dallion Johnson is at 14.0 points per game, with
Rahmir Barno rounding out the quintet at 10.3.
McLean has been a spark in the first half during ASUN play. While the Eagles have gotten off to slow starts in games in conference play, McLean is averaging 8.8 points in the first half of conference contests. Over the last two games, the graduate transfer has scored 12.5 points in the first half of games, with McLean also playing the most time of any Eagle. "I just wanted to make sure that I came out and just did what I had to do for the team early on," McLean said. "I probably had a little bit of a slow start, so I wanted to make sure I was there with my team. It's something the coaches mentioned to me and challenged me a little bit. So I wanted to come out here and make sure I did my part."
FGCU will have to slow down Shelton Williams-Dryden to be successful Thursday night. The UWG guard is third in the ASUN in scoring in conference games, averaging 20.0 per contest. In the win over Austin Peay, Williams-Dryden scored 27 thanks to a conference-best 13 field goals. He also scored 22 points against FGCU two weeks ago.
Fans will have the opportunity to play trivia for Regal Cinemas gift cards as part of "Movie Trivia Night." Tickets are available at the Alico Arena box office or by calling 1-866-FGCU-TIX (342-8849).
Following Thursday's game, the Eagles will wrap up their homestand this Saturday against Queens University of Charlotte. Saturday's game will also feature the annual Chris and Brianne Sale Shoe Drive, benefiting Laces of Love. Fans can donate a pair of new shoes for the opportunity to win a baseball signed by the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner.
