UNA/FGCU RECAP

Fort Myers, FL- FGCU (14-11, 4-8 ASUN) lost in overtime, 87-85, Saturday night from Alico Arena, to UNA (14-11, 6-6 ASUN).

Stats (UNA):

UNA shot 54.4% (31/57) from the field, 45.8% (11/24) from beyond the arc, and were outrebounded 37-33 by FGCU. The Lions dished out 14 assists, had 4 steals, and 2 blocks in the game. UNA forced 10 FGCU team turnovers, while having 10 team turnovers of their own.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU shot 46.3% (31/67) from the field, 45.8% (11/28) from beyond the arc, and outrebounded UNA 37-33. The Eagles dished out 16 assists, had 5 steals, and 2 blocks in the game. FGCU forced 10 UNA team turnovers, while having 10 team turnovers of their own.

Outstanding Players (UNA):

Daniel Ortiz 19 pts, 3 reb

Jacari Lane 18 pts, 6 reb

KJ Johnson 12 pts, 4 asts

Outstanding Players (FGCU):

Isaiah Thompson 24 pts, 2 asts

Chase Johnston 21 pts, 2 reb

Zach Anderson 14 pts, 6 reb

Overview:

The Eagles losing streak is at five games, and they lost another highly contested game Saturday night vs UNA. This was a game FGCU led by 13 points (15-2), early in the first half, but they were unable to put UNA away. Isaiah Thompson continues to lead the Eagles offensively, and finished with a game high 24 points in the game. Thompson hit the game tying shot at the buzzer which forced overtime, and you hoped that momentum for the Eagles would follow. Chase Johnston continues his strong shooting from beyond the arc, and finished with 21 points on 4/8 shooting from beyond the arc.

UNA was led offensively by Daniel Ortiz, who scored 19 points, and Jacari Lane, finished with 18 points. The Lane/Ortiz combination at guard are gonna give the rest of the ASUN Conference fits, as these players continue to improve as the seasons go by. KJ Johnson also finished in double figures in scoring, with 12 points in the game.

FGCU now is in danger of missing the ASUN Conference tournament. The Eagles are currently in 11th place, and the top 10 teams receive spots in the tournament. It’s super confusing seeing the struggles of this team continue, and with this season starting to wind down, next year’s team will look a whole lot different with many of the transfers, and graduate transfers moving on from the team. Many of the players have new roles, and the team just isn’t gelling like they were during non-conference play. Injuries definitely play a role every season, but the team had been pretty healthy of late. It’ll be interesting to see how FGCU finishes the last six games of the regular season, and if they can qualify for the ASUN Conference tournament, they have the pieces to win some games, though they will be heading on the road, and they have a 4-8 record away from Alico Arena. It’s a wait and see process as this season is starting to get away from the Eagles.

What’s Next:

FGCU (14-11, 4-8 ASUN) heads on the road to face UNF (10-14,5-7 ASUN), Thursday night at 7 PM from UNF Arena.