Florida Gulf Coast University men's basketball fought back from a 24-point deficit to complete the comeback win, 83-79, in Jacksonville against Jacksonville University to move back into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
"I'm so proud of this group's fight," FGCU head coach
Pat Chambers said. "They never stopped believing. There was great leadership by our seniors!"
The Eagles (12-10, 7-2 ASUN) trailed by 24 points with 17:52 left in the game. FGCU went on a 12-3 run to cut the Dolphins (13-8, 7-2 ASUN) lead to 15 in just two minutes and 52 seconds.
FGCU and JU battled back and forth until a
Rory Stewart three, a
Keeshawn Kellman three-pointer and a
Dallion Johnson layup comprised the 8-0 Eagles run over the course of 95 seconds to cut the deficit to eight and force a timeout from the Dolphins.
Jacksonville held a 78-69 lead with 3:14 left but the Green and Blue played inspired defense, only allowing one point the rest of the way.
The comeback started with a
Rahmir Barno fastbreak layup. FGCU is within seven.
An offensive board leads to a scattered Dolphins defense and a drive to the paint leads to a kick out to Johnson for the three. The Eagles can see the win, four points off the lead.
A full court press forces a bad pass right to Johnson, who scoops in the layup. It's a one possession game.
Dallion Johnson three. Dagger. Eagles have the lead 79-78.
JU is held scoreless in their next possession and
Zavian McLean knocks down two free throws to give FGCU an 81-78 lead.
The Green and Blue foul the JU ball handler before he can get a shot up, forcing two free throws and no chance to tie the game. The Dolphins make the first and miss the second but can't get the rebound.
Jevin Muniz is fouled and the Eagles put away the game for an 83-79 victory.
Johnson led the scoring with 20 points, with Kellman just behind at 19 points.
FGCU returns home to face Stetson on Saturday, Feb 1 at 1 p.m. It is the homecoming game and a "Blue Out". Fans are encouraged to fill the stands in their blue FGCU gear. The game is also the coaches versus cancer game and fans in attendance can receive a Hawaiian shirt.
Tickets start at just $12 for general admission. Eagles' fans can create and select their own mini-plan of four-, six-, or nine-game packages this season starting at $44. For more information on single-game and season tickets, please click here or call the FGCU Ticket Office at 1-866-FGCU-TIX (866-324-8449).
