FGCU MBB vs. Webber Recap: It wasn't a Game, It was Practice!

The FGCU men's basketball team took an initiative, in front of 3,100 fans in attendance, to face NAIA's Webber International University. The Eagles (6-2) struck down the Warriors (3-3) by a score of 115-61. Of course, the game did not count for Webber, as it was a exhibition for them. It did count as a season game for FGCU, but it did not effect their RPI ranking,

In the first half, the Eagles went ahead 27-0 before Webber got on the board with 11:58 left on the clock. FGCU, at the end of the first half, was ahead 63-21.

In the second half, Webber tried to mount a "comeback" with a six-point rally, but it was not even close to being strong enough to beat FGCU.

Seven Players for FGCU went into double digits throughout the game.

Senior guard Christian Terrell led the way with a double-double of 18 points (7-for-12 FG, 3-for-6 3FG, 1-for-2 FT) and 10 rebounds. The Jacksonville native added five assists, one block and one steal. With the 18 points, Terrell became the 8th FGCU player in program history to reach 1,000 points.

Redshirt junior guard Zach Johnson had 16 points (7-for-14 FG, 1-for-6 3FG, 1-for-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and three steals.

Redshirt senior guard Brandon Goodwin, despite shooting 3-for-11, also had a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists. Goodwin also had two rebounds, one block and one steal.

Redshirt junior center Ricky Doyle had 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Sophomore forward Raysean Scott Jr. was once again short of a double-double. Scott finished with 10 points (5-for-5 FG), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal.

Off the bench, sophomore guard Christian Carlyle had 13 points (6-for-11 FG, 1-for-2 3FG), four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Redshirt senior forward Antravious Simmons was two points and two rebounds shy of a double-double as well. The Miami native finished with eight points (2-for-3 FG, 4-for-4 FT), eight rebounds and three assists.

Redshirt sophomore center Brady Ernst had seven points (3-for-3 FG, 1-for-4 FT), a career-high 11 rebounds and two assists.

Freshman guard Darnell Rogers had a season-high 11 points (4-for-6 FG, 3-for-4 3 FG) and two steals.

Other players that played and contributed to the game included redshirt senior guard Josh Ko, junior guard Dolan Mahoney and freshman guard Ryan McAdoo.

Ko had five points (2-for-7 FG, 1-for-2 3FG), two rebounds and one steal, Mahoney had two points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal and McAdoo scored his first career point at the free throw line and had one steal.

All twelve players that got into the game scored at least one point and had one foul or less.

Redshirt junior guard Dinero Mercurius and freshman forward Brian Thomas are still injured. Mercurius, who suffered a shoulder injury during the game against Denver, is set to return to action against Middle Tennessee December 2. Thomas, however, is out for another two weeks, so the timetable of his return is yet to be determined.

Redshirt junior forward Michael Gilmore is scheduled to make his official FGCU debut on December 16 at home against Oral Roberts.

Of course, I had to miss the whole first half because I had a three-hour night class that didn't get out until about 8:15 P.M. I was able to try and watch the whole first half during class (sneaky, I know). One of the senior cheerleaders, Zhara Fayad, was wondering where I was and was worried why I missed the entire first half of the game. Of course I explained it to her and to others that academics comes before athletics. As I was coming to Alico Arena, some students were already leaving because they figured it would be a blowout.

FGCU returns to action against Middle Tennessee in a rematch after MTU beat FGCU 85-72 in Tennessee, so hopefully redemption will be in favor for FGCU.