FGCU/USC RECAP

Los Angeles, CA- FGCU (1-0) stunned USC (0-1), 74-61, Monday night from the Galen Center, as Chase Johnston led the charge with 20 points.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU shot 37.5% (24/64) from the field, 29.6% (8/27) from beyond the arc, and outrebounded the Trojans 45-35. The Eagles dished out 13 assists, had 7 steals, and 3 blocks in the game. FGCU forced 15 USC team turnovers, while having 11 team turnovers of their own.

Stats (USC):

USC shot 40.4% (24/64) from the field, 15.8% (3/19) from beyond the arc, and were outrebounded 45-35 by the Eagles. The Trojans dished out 15 assists, had 9 steals, and 8 blocks in the game. USC forced 11 FGCU team turnovers, while having 15 team turnovers of their own.

Outstanding Players (FGCU):

Chase Johnston 20 pts, 3 reb

Isaiah Thompson 16 pts, 3 asts

Dahmir Bishop 10 pts, 3 asts

Outstanding Players (USC):

Boogie Ellis 19 pts, 3 asts

Drew Peterson 7 pts, 9 reb, 6 asts

Joshua Morgan 6 pts, 9 reb, 7 blks

Overview:

The Pat Chambers era couldn’t have gotten off to a better start, as FGCU stunned USC, and Head Coach Andy Enfield Monday night! USC held their largest lead of the game at 21-10 with 10:06 left in the 1st half, but the Eagles stayed resilient, and went into halftime only down 30-29. In the 2nd half, FGCU took over, and cold shooting doomed the Trojans. The Eagles outscored the Trojans 45-31, and Chase Johnston willed the Eagles to victory, scoring a game high 20 points. Chase hit 4 huge 3 pointers, and USC as a team shot 15.8% from beyond the arc, only made 3 three point field goals, and couldn’t keep up with the Eagles in the 2nd half of this game. FGCU was the better team and completely outplayed USC when it comes down to the key stats in this game.

Isaiah Thompson (16 points), and Dahmir Bishop (10 points) also finished in double figures in scoring in the game. USC was led by Boogie Ellis who finished with 19 points.

Drew Peterson nearly finished with a double double in the game (7 pts, 9 reb, 6 asts), and was extremely hard to guard in the first half of the game, as he would drive to the basket and dish the ball off to a forward or center in the post for a dunk or layup. Turnovers plagued him in the 2nd half of the game though, as he finished with 6 turnovers in the game. This was a statement win game for the Eagles, and they need to take the momentum into Wednesday’s road matchup with WCC member: San Diego.

What’s Next:

FGCU (1-0) remains in California, to face the University of San Diego (1-0), Wednesday night at 10 PM EST, from the Jenny Craig Pavilion.