Team effort powers FGCU to 71-58 win over South Dakota State

(via Captive Photons)

Brett Comer and Bernard Thompson have seemingly taken turns putting on dominating performances in the first few games of the season but neither could find much production in the first half against South Dakota State.

The senior guards combined for just two points and two assists before the break. But other Eagles, mainly the FGCU big men, were able to step up and contribute to keep the Eagles tied at halftime, and eventually give them the win, 71-58.

Eagles center Nate Hicks, who has shown incredible toughness in his return from an ACL tear, manned the paint and recorded 9 points and 9 rebounds. And despite being in some foul trouble, the ever energetic Marc-Eddy Norelia snatched 10 boards to go along with his 8 points.

"The other guys started scoring the ball and did their thing, and it opened up the court for us, made them more of targets," Comer said of himself and Thompson. "We have so many weapons on our team that some nights it's not gonna be us, it's gonna be other guys."

And on Sunday evening, FGCU really had all the other guys to work with. For the first time this season, Florida Gulf Coast was at full strength. Logan Hovey seems to be nearing full health. Jamail Jones returned from his three game suspension, joining Julian DeBose (who missed the first three contests). They're Eagles, and Joe Dooley let 'em fly.

"It was kind of the game plan since we have everybody here now we could throw bodies at guys on the other team to tire them out," Thompson said. "It was great to have everybody, so we could sub in, sub out real quick if people needed a breather."

But no team can contain one of the best mid-major backcourts for too long. The Jackrabbits were no exception. FGCU went on a 10-0 run to star the half as Comer tallied 12 points in the second half and did a phenomenal job facilitating the ball inside. Thompson suddenly got hot and nailed 3/4 from three en route to his 11 points after the break.

What impressed head coach Joe Dooley more, however, was the Eagles' defensive effort. They held SDSU to just 27 second half points on 7/31 (22%) shooting. The only real damage South Dakota State was able to inflect was from the free throw line, knocking down 12 of 15 from the charity stripe in the 2nd half.

"We did a better job of not giving up easy baskets...we just simplified," Dooley said. "The guys were a little bit more aggressive, more solid."

Florida Gulf Coast now heads home to battle Florida Tech on Wednesday, before heading to UMass on Sunday. With DeBose and Jones back from suspension, as well as Hovey and Hicks healthy, Dunk City has become a very deep and dangerous team.

"It takes some of the pressure off Bernard and Brett," Dooley said. "The big thing for us will be having practice time together. We haven't had a practice recently with everybody yet."