2023-12-09 21:11:20
Three players scored in double-figures as Florida Gulf Coast University held an early lead in the first half, but the University of Minnesota clamped down defensively in the second half to pull away for a 77-57 win over the Eagles in non-conference men’s basketball action in Minneapolis, Minnesota Saturday.
“I thought we fought hard,” said FGCU head coach Pat Chambers. “Once we get healthy I think we’re going to be really in a good place come conference play with all of the battles we’ve had so far.”
FGCU (3-8) got off to an ideal start, taking a 14-5 lead through the first eight minutes. Keeshawn Kellman scored six points in the early run, with Zach Anderson adding four and Dallion Johnson connecting on a 3-pointer to send the Golden Gophers (7-3) into an early timeout.
Cyrus Largie would score five consecutive points for the Eagles to help the side maintain a six-point cushion, 22-16. After a 7-0 run gave Minnesota a 25-24 lead, a Kellman free-throw tied the game for the final time at 25-all with 4:16 left in the half. The Eagles would keep it close for the remainder of the opening 20 minutes as FGCU shot 50 percent (12-of-24) from the field in the half to trail 37-33.
FGCU stayed within striking distance over the first 5:30 of the second half. After a dunk led to a 3-point play for Kellman, the Eagles trailed by just two, 43-41, with 14:30 to go. But from that pont, the Golden Gophers would go on a 16-1 run, taking control of the game as the lead swelled to 17, 59-42. Josiah Shackleford would score six off the bench in the final minutes to tie Anderson as FGCU’s top scorer in the period as the Eagles fell by 20 in the end.
Anderson’s 14 points were a team-high and his seven rebounds led all players. Kellman added a dozen points with Johnson scoring 11. The Eagles were without leading scorer Isaiah Thompson as well as outside shooting threat Chase Johnston due to illness.
Joshua Ola-Joseph led all scorers with 17 for Minnesota. The Golden Gophers had four players in double-figures for the game.
FGCU will be idle for final exams, returning to action at Mercer University next Saturday in Macon, Georgia.
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