FORT MYERS, Fla. - After completing a perfect homestand, Florida Gulf Coast University's men's basketball team will look to keep the momentum going on the road as the Eagles take on Bellarmine University Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. in Louisville, Kentucky in Atlantic Sun Conference action.
The Eagles (10-9, 5-1 ASUN) vaulted their way into a tie for first in the ASUN on the strength of a four-game winning streak. The Green and Blue started the streak by battling past North Alabama, 75-70, two Thursdays ago. Two days later, FGCU took a 77-71 victory over Central Alabama. Last week, FGCU scored 47 points in the first half en route to an 82-60 win over West Georgia. Finally, the Eagles got off to another hot start, leading by 21 at halftime as they knocked Queens from the ranks of the ASUN unbeatens with a 60-47 victory.
FGCU has done its damage in the ASUN in true team fashion. FGCU has just one scorer in the individual top 15 in conference games, with
Keeshawn Kellman at 14.7 points per game. Defensively, the Eagles have held opponents to 40.4 percent shooting in league games, good for third-best in the league. Conversely, FGCU's field goal percentage as a team in conference games also ranks third with the Eagles hitting on 48.1 percent of their shots from the field.
Bellarmine (3-16, 0-6 ASUN) is the lowest scoring team in conference play. The Knights have averaged 65.8 points per game this season in ASUN games. Bellarmine's only win against Division I foes came Nov. 13 against Southern Indiana.
However, Bellarmine has been one of FGCU's bugaboos since the Knights have joined the ASUN. Bellarmine joined the ASUN before the 2021 season and won the first five meetings against the Eagles. The first win for FGCU in the series came Feb. 10, 2024 when
Dallion Johnson and
Keeshawn Kellman each scored 17 points in a 62-50 win in Alico Arena.
The Eagles are going for their first five-game winning streak since the 2022-23 season. FGCU hasn't won five games in a row in ASUN play since Feb. 3-16, 2022.
Thursday's game will be available via ESPN+. The Eagles will continue the road trip Saturday at Eastern Kentucky at 4 p.m.
