FGCU MBB vs UMBC Recap

 A late 16-to-2 run by UMBC in the final moments of the second half propelled the Retrievers to a 65-61 win over the FGCU men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon at Alico Arena. The Eagles led by 10 points with 5:01 left in the game before UMBC was able to mount the comeback to spoil the 2019-20 home opener.

FGCU (0-2) was led by sophomore Caleb Catto who had 15 points and six rebounds alongside junior Jalen Warren who posted a season-high 14 points. Sophomore Zach Scott chipped in 11 points, while freshman Dakota Rivers led the Eagles with a season-high eight rebounds.

"I'm definitely frustrated because I think that's a game we could have and should have won," said head coach Michael Fly. "I thought we controlled it for 37 to 38 minutes. I told the team that this is part of the learning experience - how to close out games. A lot of really good teams are 0-2 in college basketball right now and nobody is going to be the same in January/February as to what they are now. My hope is that this type of situation is one we win in the next two-to-three weeks."

The Retrievers had 21 points from both L.J. Owens and former Eagle Darnell Rogers while Keondre Kennedy added 10 points to round out the top scorers. Rogers scored four points in the final 64 seconds including a pair of free throws to push the lead to four, while Owens hit a three-pointer which gave UMBC (2-0) its first lead since midway through the first half.

Overall, FGCU shot 30.2 percent from the field and was 5-of-24 from beyond the arc. Both teams attempted 37 field goals in a game which featured 54 combined fouls. The Eagles went 24-of-37 from the stripe, while UMBC was 21-of-37.

After the Retrievers built out a 15-9 lead in the first 6:30 of play, the Eagles scored six straight in just over a minute to tie the game. FGCU then cranked up the defense to hold UMBC without a field goal for an eight minute stretch and built out a 41-31 lead at the intermission.

UMBC chipped away for the bulk of the second half with FGCU able to keep extending the lead to 10 points. After a Rogers triple at the 8:30 mark cut the Eagles' lead to five, 54-49, a Rivers dunk followed by a Warren free throw and a Scott lay-up on the fast break pushed the advantage back to double-figures with just over five minutes remaining.

From there, the Retrievers were able to take advantage of a cold stretch for the Eagles who missed their final six shots from the field as UMBC made its run. FGCU had a chance to tie the game with six seconds to go, but missed a jump shot which led to two free throws by Rogers. On the ensuing inbounds, the Eagles went the full court looking for the quick lay-up to pull within a possession, but missed with the Retrievers clearing the defensive board for the win as time expired.