JU/#23 FGCU PREVIEW

Fort Myers, FL- #23 FGCU (25-2, 14-1 ASUN) faces Jacksonville University (15-11, 8-7 ASUN) Saturday afternoon at 4 PM from Alico Arena.

Stats (JU):

JU averages 60.0 ppg, shoots 38.5% (578/1500) from the field, and 26.3% (107/407) from beyond the arc. The Dolphins average 33.8 team rebounds per game. JU dishes out 11.0 assists, 10.5 steals, and 3.9 blocks per game. The Dolphins average 16.2 team turnovers per game.

Stats (#23 FGCU):

FGCU averages 78.9 ppg, shoots 43.6% (761/1744) from the field, and 32.3% (320/992) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 35.7 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 17.6 assists, 10.2 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game. The Eagles average 11.6 team turnovers per game.

Players To Watch For (JU):

5’6 GR G Taylor Hawks 11.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg

5’10 R-JR G DeShari Graham 10.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg

6’1 R-JR F Shynia Jackson 9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg

Players To Watch For (#23 FGCU):

6’1 JR G Kierstan Bell 23.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg

5’3 SR G TK Morehouse 14.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg

5’7 GR G Kendall Spray 10.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg

Overview:

#23 FGCU surprised everyone when Kierstan Bell returned from injury Thursday night in a key win vs Liberty University. The Eagles 1,2 punch of Kierstan Bell (23.4 ppg) and TK Morehouse(14.8 ppg), gives #23 FGCU the edge, and most likely another ASUN Championship for Head Coach Karl Smesko. FGCU most likely faces Liberty University for a third time, and the game will be at Alico Arena, since the Eagles secured the #1 seed and homecourt throughout the ASUN Tournament.

JU is led offensively by Taylor Hawks who averages 11.5 ppg. The Dolphins lost to FGCU on 1/9, 83-64, from Historic Swisher Gymnasium. Head Coach Darnell Haney, is finishing his 4th season leading the Dolphins. JU enters this game with a record of 8-7 in ASUN play, and have alternated wins and losses throughout ASUN Conference play. The Dolphins will want to keep this game low scoring, and try to contain both Kierstan and TK. #23 FGCU looks to beat Jacksonville University, and head into the ASUN Tournament on a 4 game losing streak.