Game Statistics
FORT MYERS, Fla. (NCCUEaglePride.com) - In the third meeting between these two transitioning Division I programs, the host Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University used a barrage of three-pointers (11-for-21) and a season-high field goal percentage of 56.7 percent to take down the visiting Eagles of North Carolina Central University on Tuesday evening 87-68 inside Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.
FGCU ended a six-game losing streak and took its third straight contest in the last three years over NCCU, using a 38-23 rebound advantage that included 12 offensive rebounds and a 15-5 margin in second chance points.
With the previous two contests staying within single digits the host Eagles made a tight ballgame an 11-point halftime cushion after going an astonishing 7-for-11 from the outside that contributed greatly to a 20 to 11 run over the final 6:38 giving FGCU the 39-28 lead.
NCCU saw an 11-point halftime deficit grow to 18 at 50-32 thanks to an 11-4 run which was enough to put the maroon and gray away. NCCU trailed by as much as 26 and never cut the deficit below 14 in the second half to fall in the contest by the score of 87-68.
FGCU’s 1-2 punch of Reed Baker and Anthony Banks combined for 46 points with Baker leading all scorers with 25 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the perimeter. The host Eagles also got double-digit performances from Chase Fieler (11 points) and reserve Hunter Miller (11 points, 3-for-3 three-pointers) who came into the game averaging 1.7 points per contest.
NCCU’s duo of Landon Clement (Raleigh, N.C.) and C.J. Wilkerson (Oxford, N.C.) were the lone Eagles scoring in double figures as Clement finished with 16 points on 3-for-6 shooting from the outside, while Wilkerson did his damage going to the basket finishing the night 7-for-8 from the free-throw line.
The loss drops the Eagles to 4-6 on the year and extends their losing streak to three games.
Following the holiday break, NCCU gets back to action on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 7:00 p.m. against the Buffaloes of Milligan College from McDougald-McLendon Gym as the Eagles begin a four-game home stand heading into the new year.
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