FGCU men's basketball ends California swing with a split after loss to San Diego
SAN DIEGO — Call it a California split.
The Florida Gulf Coast men's basketball team followed a stunning upset of USC in Monday night’s season opener with a trip down Interstate-5 and a hard-fought 79-73 loss to the University of San Diego at Jenny Craig Pavilion Wednesday night.
Despite a balanced scoring effort paced by guard Chase Johnston’s 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting and five made three-pointers and a bench that outscored San Diego 28-2, the Eagles were unable to pull off a late comeback attempt.
"I was proud of the way we hung in there and competed," said FGCU coach Pat Chambers, whose team is 1-1. "We looked a step slow at times, and give San Diego credit because they played tough and physical."
Previous game: FGCU men's basketball upsets USC on road in Pat Chambers' debut as Eagles coach
Preview: FGCU men's basketball team begins Pat Chambers era with promise, but also plenty of unknowns
San Diego (2-0) led by eight points with 4:16 to play when a turnaround jump shot from junior forward Zach Anderson, a corner three-pointer from senior guard Dahmir Bishop and a layup from sophomore center Andrew Weir drew the Eagles within 70-69 with 2:54 to go.
Then, San Diego’s Eric Williams Jr. (19 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks) came up with one of the key plays of the game when he drove hard baseline against FGCU senior guard Caleb Catto and made a shot while drawing a foul.
Williams Jr. converted the free throw and then after two Anderson free throws and a stop, FGCU had a chance to tie the game but Weir’s point-blank attempt was blocked by Williams Jr. and Jaiden Delaire.
After two free throws from San Diego’s Jase Townsend, Catto missed a three-pointer and after an offensive rebound by Bishop the Eagles suffered a crucial turnover when Bishop’s attempt at a pass to the corner - and a potential open shooter - went out of bounds.
"The last seven minutes we could have packed it in, and we didn't," Chambers said. "We had a couple chances there in the last minute or so, and that was the difference. We have experienced a lot of learning, growing, and teaching on this trip - and it will benefit us when we get to conference play. I'm excited about it all and about this group."
Anderson (17 points, 9 rebounds), Weir (10 points) and Catto (10 points) joined Johnston in double figures.
In a game that featured 11 lead changes and nine ties, San Diego won largely thanks to an 8-0 first-half run and a 10-0 second-half burst.
The Toreros finished with a 26-7 edge in fast break points, a 40-18 advantage on points in the paint, a 36-32 rebounding edge and finished with 11 turnovers to FGCU’s 13.
San Diego led for 27:51 of game clock while the Eagles held the lead only for 5:52.
The Eagles return to Florida and will host NAIA Ave Maria in their Alico Arena opener Sunday and then face another big roast test when they visit No. 11 Tennessee on Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FGCU men's basketball heads home after loss to San Diego
