Jevin Muniz tied for game-high honors with 18 points as Florida Gulf Coast University saw its five game winning streak come to an end with an 81-77 loss at Eastern Kentucky University Saturday afternoon in Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball action from Richmond, Kentucky.
The Eagles (11-10, 6-2 ASUN) held a slim lead of two at halftime, but EKU (10-11, 4-4 ASUN) used three consecutive 3-pointers to take a 53-46 lead. From then on, the Eagles could get within two but couldn't get over the hump. Trailing 68-59 with 7:40 left, the Eagles used a 12-3 run that was capped by a Muniz triple to make it 71-69 entering the final four minutes.
FGCU would still be within two, 75-73, as the clock spun towards 90 seconds. A big 3-pointer by EKU's Mayar Wol would push EKU's lead back up to five as the game entered the final 60 seconds.
Dallion Johnson would cut the lead to three with 44 seconds left, and FGCU would play defense on the other end with enough of a time differential to try for a hold and get a 3-pointer on the other end. But as the shot clock wound under six, FGCU had to foul to prevent a layup from underneath the basket. The Colonels would make one of the free-throws to make it a four-point game. FGCU would get two free-throws from Johnson to make it a two-point game, but EKU had the ball and would make two more free-throws to stretch the lead back to four. The Eagles would not get another field goal in the game as FGCU fell by four.
Johnson followed up his 26-point effort at Bellarmine with a 16-point performance in the loss.
Rahmir Barno scored 15 points and tied Muniz for game-high honors with seven assists.
Zavian McLean scored all 11 of his points in the opening half.
The Eagles were 30-of-58 from the field, but were hurt by EKU's 18 second chance points off of 14 offensive rebounds. The Colonels also connected on 13 3-pointers, compared to nine for the guests. EKU also had a 14-of-18 advantage at the free-throw line as FGCU went just 8-of-11.
FGCU now sits one game back of Jacksonville in the ASUN standings but will have a chance to get back into a tie at the top this Wednesday as the Eagles travel to face the Dolphins in Jacksonville, Fla. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
