FGCU MBB @ Saint Louis Recap

 A 19-to-0 first half run for Saint Louis, the defending Atlantic 10 champions, proved the difference maker on Tuesday night as the Billikens down the FGCU men's basketball team 89-67 at Chaifetz Arena in the season-opener for both squads. The Eagles played an even second half, 49-49, on the road thanks in part to 19 points from Zach Scott as part of his game-high 23 for the evening.

"I thought we did some really positive things in the second half; we played more relaxed and had better ball movement," said head coach Michael Fly. "We weren't able to string together enough stops, but I thought there were some good things to build upon from an offensive and attacking standpoint going into UMBC. I was disappointed in the first half with our toughness - that was one of our biggest talking points going into the game was controlling rebounding and getting loose balls. Saint Louis was more aggressive team in the first half."

Scott's 23 points were just two shy of his career-best single-game total as the sophomore hit 8-of-17 from the floor including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. He was particularly effective in the second half going 5-of-7 from deep and 7-of-11 overall from the floor.

Joining Scott in leading the Eagles was fellow sophomore Caleb Catto who had a career-best 16 points to go with four assists. Catto had 11 points in the second half as FGCU (0-1) kept pace with Saint Louis, 49-49. In his FGCU debut, Jalen Harper notched nine points going 3-of-4 from behind the three-point line.

"Realistically, Zach and Caleb did some good things for us tonight and as sophomores are still growing and maturing as leaders," said Fly. "Overall I think our team is in that space as well and with as many new guys that we have, they are still trying to get comfortable with each other. The good thing is that this is early November and I think our best basketball is in front of us."

Saint Louis (1-0) was led by Hasahn French's 20 points, while Jordan Goodwin added 18 points and nine rebounds. Fred Thatch, Jr. scored 11 points to round out the top scorers. The Eagles limited French in the first half to just four points.

The Billikens held a 41-to-28 advantage in rebounding which led to a 10-point edge in second change points. They also converted 18 FGCU miscues into 17 points. Overall, the Eagles shot 46 percent from the floor for the game, but saw that rise to 61 percent in the second half which included a 10-of-17 effort from deep.

Up Next:

FGCU will return to Alico Arena on Saturday, Nov. 9 to open the home schedule as fellow NCAA Cinderella UMBC visits Fort Myers for the second consecutive meeting between two clubs that have made national headlines. The tip is set for 3 PM and the game will be available on ESPN+. Limited tickets are still available by calling 239-590-7145, stopping by Alico Arena, or visiting www.FGCUAthletics.com/Tickets.