FORT MYERS, Fla. -
Keeshawn Kellman landed a big blow early for Florida Gulf Coast University. Queens University of Charlotte didn't answer the bell until late.
The sixth-year transfer's thunderous dunk on the first possession of the game put FGCU in the lead and the Eagles never looked back, topping the Royals 60-47 to move into a tie for first in the Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball standings.
"The last two games, we got off to a great start and that fueled us to two wins and a great weekend," Kellman said. "I go into every matchup with the same mentality to just do whatever it takes to help the team win. It was me being aggressive today that helped the team win."
"Keeshawn set the tone for us," said FGCU head coach
Pat Chambers. "He scored most of our points to start the game, but his defense was great. His toughness really carried us through. We've got to have that piece to our identity."
Queens (12-7, 5-1 ASUN) entered the game averaging 85 points per game in conference action but was held to its lowest point total of the season across all contests. With the score 16-13 in favor of the home side, FGCU (10-9, 5-1 ASUN) unleashed a 16-0 run over 4:15 of the period to make it 32-13 with 5:43 left before halftime. Kellman would pour in 15 of his game-high 21 points in the first half on 6-of-6 shooting, including a 3-pointer as the Eagles led 40-19 after one half.
"Queens has been beating us for the last few years, so it was nice to come out and really execute our defensive game plan," said Chambers. "We really defended and rebounded well in the first half and we made shots."
The Eagles would score the first four points of the second half, but then points would be at a premium for both sides as the contest wore on. FGCU led 52-32 after a
Zavian McLean dunk midway through the second half, but the Eagles would be kept off the board for over six minutes. Queens would take advantage to cut the lead down to 11 before Kellman converted both ends of a 1-and-1 to slow the momentum. The Royals pulled within nine, but McLean's turnaround jumper with 2:16 left proved to be the dagger. The Royals managed just two more points the rest of the way as FGCU held on to win by a baker's dozen.
The first time the teams met, the two teams sprinted up-and-down the court to the tune of 175 combined points. In Saturday's win, FGCU matched its 60-59 win for the fewest points scored in a victory this season, while the 47 points allowed were the fewest since a win since giving up 42 against Georgia Southern in Savannah, Georgia Dec. 19, 2023. Leo Camilerio of Queens scored 35 in the first meeting but managed just 12 on 4-of-9 shooting in Saturday's contest.
McLean scored eight of his 10 points in the second half to finish as the third FGCU player in double-figures. FGCU's
Michael Duax led all players with nine rebounds, tying his season-high. The junior transfer from Northern Iowa also tied his career-high with four of FGCU's five steals.
The Eagles started their four-game homestand at 1-1 in conference play and 6-9 overall. After defending their home court four times in a row, the Eagles now sit in a tie at the top of the league standings. "You want to protect your home court," Chambers said. "You want to win your home games. It was really important that we came out and competed. Now, we've put ourselves in position to be at the top of the league."
FGCU will head on the road for the next three games, first taking on Bellarmine this Thursday in ASUN action. Tipoff in Louisville, Kentucky is set for 6:30 p.m.
