Zachary Gibbons
11/25/2025
FORT MYERS, Fla.—Florida Gulf Coast University men’s basketball team beat Rice University 78-63 in overtime moving to 2-0 in the GEICO Coconut Hoops at Alico Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 25
The first half did not go well for the Eagles as they trailed 24-17. The period did end with hope however with back-to back 3-pointers by FGCU’s Gabe Tanner and Darren Williams. Tanner and JR Konieczny each finished the half with five points, while Isaiah Malone and Rahmir Barno each scored two points.
Jalen Smith led the Owls in the first half scoring six points on two made threes. Akuchie finished with four points
FGCU was able to mount a comeback in the second half outscoring Rice 42-35 in the period to tie the game at 59-59 on a pullup jumper by Jordan Ellerbee with 13 seconds left forcing overtime.
Ellerbee led the Eagles in the period scoring 16 points including four 3-pointers. Konieczny added 11 points.
The Eagles sealed the game in overtime outscoring the Owls 19-4 with help from six points by Barno, four of those points coming from the free throw line. Ellerbee and Michael Duax each added four points, Konieczny hit a three and Rory Stewart scored two from the line.
Ellerbee led the Eagles scoring 20 points. Konieczny added 19 points and a team high six rebounds. Barno finished with 10 points
FGCU finished the game shooting 23 of 58 including eight 3-pointers, they made 24 of 33 from the line, had 45 rebounds and 14 assists. The Eagles forced 19 turnovers scoring nine points off the turnovers.
Trae Broadnax finished with 12 points and seven rebounds for the Owls. Nick Anderson scored 10 points.
Rice made 23 of 61 shots including four 3-pointers, they made 13 of 20 from the line, grabbed 38 rebounds and had 10 assists. The Owls forced 16 turnovers scoring 13 points off the turnovers.
FGCU Head Coach Pat Chambers spoke with FGCU Athletics following the game.
“I’m just proud of how we stuck together,” head coach Chambers said. “I thought we got pretty good shots in the first half. They just didn’t go. And that happens.
“Every day in practice, I talk about defending and rebounding. Defending and rebounding. Because there’s going to be nights like this where the ball’s not going to go in the basket. Then what are you going to do? I felt like we stuck together. We showed some grit, showed some resiliency. And I give a freshman (Ellerbee) a lot of credit for taking a gutsy shot. Had a timeout. I felt like they were on their heels a little bit. I chose not to call the timeout. Our guys trusted the concepts. He got to a spot, made a big shot.”
Ellerbee also spoke with FGCU Athletics
“I put my full trust in (my teammates), they put their full trust in me,” Ellerbee said. “And as long as we keep that trust, we’re going to continue to win.”
FGCU (5-2) closes GEICO Coconut Hoops on Wednesday Nov. 26 hosting former Atlantic Sun Conference foe Kennesaw State (4-2) at Alico Arena at 7 p.m.
KSU is 1-1 in GEICO Coconut Hoops beating Rice 89-84 on Monday, Nov. 24 and losing to Oral Roberts 91-83 on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Braedan Lue finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Owls in the loss to Oral Roberts. Simeon Cottle scored 15 points including three 3-pointers. Kaden Rickard scored 14 points and Darius Washington III finished with 10 points
Leave a Reply