JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast men's basketball saw its 2026 ASUN Tournament run come to an end on Saturday, falling 73-63 to Central Arkansas.

The margin was single-digits for the majority of the semifinal matchup. UCA led early before the game seesawed back-and-forth in the middle of the first half. The Bears took a 35-32 lead into the locker room. FGCU took an early second-half lead on a layup from Barno, but it proved fleeting. 

The Eagles were able to keep the deficit at single digits for most of the second period, and cut it to one point twice in the last five minutes, but were unable to finish the comeback and lost, 73-63.

Michael Duax led FGCU with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field. He also grabbed eight rebounds and notched three steals.

"I'm proud of our guys, we competed," head coach Pat Chambers said. "I felt like we were fighting with one hand behind our back the whole game. So much foul trouble, and it's tough to overcome after a while when guys are sitting on the bench. We battled so much adversity this year, so many challenges, so many injuries.

"I'm proud of how we finished. We were the best team we could be by the end of the year. It's something Jay Wright taught me, 'be the best team you can be by the end of the year.'"

Isaiah Malone had a 11 point, 13 rebound double-double for FGCU. Rahmir Barno had 14 points and five assists, Jordan Ellerbee added 10 points and three rebounds.

UCA was led by Camren Hunter, who scored 23 points and had eight rebounds. The Bears also got double-digit outings from Ty Robinson (13 points), Cole McCormick (13 points) and Javion Guy-King (12 points).

For more information on FGCU men's basketball, follow @FGCU_MBB on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit fgcuathletics.com.
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