FORT MYERS, Fla. – Dallion Johnson scored a game-high 22 points Saturday to guide Florida Gulf Coast University men's basketball to an 82-56 win on Homecoming at Alico Arena. Johnson drained six 3-pointers to move the Eagles into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings at 8-2.
"After an emotional win on Wednesday, I was a little concerned about our physical and mental approach and I think we answered that question early," head coach Pat Chambers said. "Our leaders really led the way. We competed for 40 minutes. Playing pretty solid on both sides of the ball goes to our leadership council and getting us ready."
Rapid Recap:
Johnson caught fire early and often on Saturday. He hit his first four attempts from deep, giving FGCU an 18-4 lead to punch the Hatters in the mouth. A Keeshawn Kellman poster of a dunk made it 22-6 Eagles at the 12:37 mark of the first. Kellman finished the day with 12 points and six rebounds. Another Kellman dunk was waived off at the halftime buzzer. Kellman's fingertips remained on the ball just as the red lights came on the backboard. The officials reviewed the play and ruled no basket. Nonetheless, FGCU soared into halftime up 17 points, 40-23. Johnson hit five of his six threes in the first half alone, and FGCU did not attempt a single free throw in the first half.
Tristen Guillouette's beautiful spin move in the paint put the Eagles up 25, 50-25 with 16:06 left to play. Stetson soon used a 7-0 run to cut into the deficit, 59-41. Rory Stewart found the bottom of the net as FGCU countered with an 8-0 run to eliminate Stetson's comeback hopes. On Wednesday, FGCU pulled off a 24-point comeback at Jacksonville. Stewart closed with 13 points, and Zavian McLean added 10 to mark the fourth Eagle to reach double-figures Saturday. FGCU would lead by as many as 29 in the second half and never trailed Saturday.
Notes and Numbers:
- FGCU has won seven out of its last eight and 10 out of its last 12 games. FGCU is 5-0 at home in conference play. With Saturday's victory, the Eagles improved to 13-10 overall and 8-2 in the ASUN. Jacksonville's 81-78 loss to North Florida solidified FGCU at the top spot in the regular season race. Lipscomb, North Alabama, Queens and Jacksonville all sit behind the Eagles at 7-3 overall.
- FGCU hit 11 3-pointers, shooting 37 percent from 3-point land in front of a season-high home crowd of 3,570 fans. FGCU has made 10 or more treys in seven games this season.
- The Green and Blue also dominated in the paint with 40 points. The Eagles only attempted six free throws Saturday, sinking five.
Up Next:
First-place FGCU hosts Eastern Kentucky (12-11, 6-4 ASUN) next Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. for FGCU Staff Appreciation Day at Alico Arena.
