FGCU: FAU downs Eagles, 66-61

There were turnovers and bad shots. But there was also hustle and hard work, especially for the Eagles, an NCAA Division II program that wasn't supposed to play the Owls this tough.

Yet there FGCU was in the second half, rallying from an 11-point halftime deficit and coming within a couple of solid possessions of upsetting the Owls, an NCAA Division I program.

"We guarded them extremely well," said FGCU head coach Dave Balza. "I thought we gave them fits offensively. But we couldn't throw it in the ocean."

The Eagles had more turnovers (24) than baskets (23) and shot 33 percent from the floor. Yet their defensive intensity kept them in the game, holding the Owls to 27 percent shooting in the second half.

Twice the Eagles pulled to within a point, yet each time the Owls made just enough plays to survive.

"They outplayed us in the hustle department," said FAU head coach Sidney Green. "... When another team comes to your house and outhustles you, it's not good."

Senior forward Robinson Tisme and junior guard Ryan Hopkins -- who endured a horrific first-half shooting performance -- led the Eagles with 14 points apiece. Scot Wilson added 11 points. Junior forward Juan Cedeno had six points and 10 rebounds.

Senior guard Earnest Crumbley led the Owls with 17 points.

FGCU held FAU junior forward Mike Bell, who poured in 34 points in an exhibition win over Nova-Southeastern last week, to just six points on 2-of-7 shooting.

"(Bell) is a shooter and we wanted to make him dribble, pull up and shoot," said Roman Brown, who took turns with Cedeno at guarding Bell. "He's a Division I player and for a night at least, I'd like to think I stopped him."

FGCU won the battle in the frontcourt, out-rebounding FAU 54-44.

The Eagles attacked the Owls defensively, but that aggressiveness came with a price. The Eagles committed 28 fouls while using their press defense.

Crislip picked up his fourth foul with more than 11 minutes to play and the Eagles down six. Gabe Pean and Marcus Parker stepped in, but their inexperience at running the point showed.

"I really thought that was a turning point in the game," Balza said. "Gabe and Marcus came in and did some good things, but we also made some mistakes."

The Eagles eventually pulled to within 53-50 with 5:49 to play, but FAU's Wes Edwards turned three offensive rebounds into putbacks to keep the Eagles at bay.

NOTES: Senior forward Leighton Bowie and junior forward Trevor Montgomery watched from behind the Eagles bench. Bowie is out at least two weeks with an eye injury while Montgomery, an Estero High grad, will miss FGCU's first six games while dealing with academic problems. Montgomery will be eligible to play when the semester ends in December.