12/7/2025

FORT MYERS, Fla.—Florida Gulf Coast University men’s basketball team lost 81-76 to Florida Atlantic University at Alico Arena in Fort Myers on Sunday, Dec. 7

FGCU concludes it’s three-game home stretch to ‘Owl’ teams 1-2, beating Rice University 78-63 in overtime and falling to Kennesaw State University 102-100 in overtime prior to today’s game.

FGCU held a 37-36 lead after the first half. J.R. Konieczny led the Eagles scoring 10 points. Rahmir Barno added nine points, including a three. Jordan Ellerbee and Michael Duax each scored six points, Jack Reddick hit a three and Isaiah Malone finished with three points.

The Eagles held an 11-point lead at 56-45 with 13:05 left in the second half thanks to a three by Ellerbree, a layup by Barno, three shots from the free throw line by Konieczny, a shot by Tristen Guillouette, another shot by Barno, a three by Darren Williams and shots by Barno and Malone.

FAU slowly battled back to tie the game at 70-all with 4:03 left then built an eight-point advantage with 21 seconds left at 80-72 thanks to a tipin and a layup by Josiah Parker, two free throws by Yohann Sissoko, two at the line from Devin Vanterpool and two more at the line from Sissoko.

FGCU answered with a shot by Ellerbee with 11 seconds left making it 80-74, but the Owls answered with a shot at the line from Sissoko with eight seconds left for their final point and Malone made a dunk for the Eagles for the final point of the game.

Barno finished with 21 points for the Eagles including three 3-pointers. Konieczny came close to a double-double with 17 points and eight rebounds. Ellerbee finished with 13 points and led the team with five assists.

Vanterpool led the Owls coming close to a double-double with 24 points including 12 of 12 from the line and eight rebounds. Parker added 16 points and Isaiah Elohim scored 11 points.

Once again, like the loss to Florida International University the main issue came down to points at the line. The Owls made 27 shots from the line and the Eagles only made 14.

FGCU also knew coming into the game that Vanterpool was an offensive threat as he finished with a double-double for the Owls of 17 points and 10 rebounds in FAU’s loss to St. Bonaventure, but the Eagles failed to keep him from scoring.

FGCU finished the game 28 of 55 shooting including six made threes. They grabbed 30 rebounds had 13 assists and 10 steals. The Eagles forced 12 turnovers scoring 11 points off those turnovers.

FAU made 24 of 56 shots including six made threes. They grabbed 34 rebounds, had eight assists, six blocks and six steals. The Owls forced 15 turnovers scoring 14 points off of them.

FGCU (5-5) heads to Albuquerque, N.M. to play University of New Mexico on Sunday, Dec. 14 at University Arena ‘The Pit’ at 4 p.m.