FGCU men’s basketball earns fifth straight win over Jacksonville
February 5, 2017
On Saturday, Feb. 4, the FGCU men’s basketball team went on the road to take on the Jacksonville Dolphins.
The FGCU men’s basketball team claimed a 67-57 win over the Dolphins, earning their fifth straight victory.
Leading by as much as 12 points at halftime, FGCU let it slip away in the third, but had a hard-fought comeback on the road.
Offensively, Brandon Goodwin led the Eagles again, recording his second double-double of the season with 24 points, a game-best 10 rebounds and four assists.
Marc-Eddy Norelia also had an impressive game, scoring 12 points on 3-4 from the floor and a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line. Norelia also grabbed seven rebounds.
Zach Johnson was right behind Norelia with 11 points on the night.
At the half, FGCU had a 40-28 lead after a 14-1 run midway through the second quarter.
However, Jacksonville came out of the locker room strong, beginning the second half with a 19-3 run, bringing the score in favor of the Dolphins, 47-43.
As the Eagles put up points, the Dolphins responded, sending the score back and forth. However, out of a timeout, Norelia converted a layup, giving momentum to a 13-0 run over the next six minutes.
Defensively, the team also held JU to just 9-27 from the floor, and 3-13 from 3-point range.
The Eagles trailed in the rebound category, 28-20, but in the last 10 minutes of the game, FGCU secured 14 of the game’s rebounds, tying the Dolphins rebounds at 34.
Offensively, FGCU out-scored JU, 28-18 in the paint. The Eagles also connected 18 of 21 free throws compared to the Dolphins 9-16.
J.R. Holder led Jacksonville with 17 points, while Marcel White put up 12 points on the night to finish as the only double-figure scorers.
FGCU held the Dolphins to 57 points, 20 made field goals and 37-percent shooting, helping secure their seventh-straight victory on the road and keeping their top spot in the ASUN standings.
Next, the Eagles will come back to Alico Arena to host Lipscomb Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.