FGCU Pulls Out Comeback Win Against Furman

Courtesy of Linwood Ferguson

It wasn't pretty, but the Eagles pulled out their second win of the season Friday against Furman. FGCU, led by 21 points from Brett Comer, defeated the Paladins 70-69 on two last second free throws from the the junior point guard.

The Blue and Green got off to a quick start, leading 7-1, but the Paladins rebounded and took a 7 point lead heading into halftime. During the first twenty minute period however, Chase Fieler and Nate Hicks played a combined 8 minutes due to foul trouble. With a shallow front court, Dooley safely sat the two until the second half.

Similar to the first half, FGCU got out to a quick start, scoring eight straight points to take the lead. But again Furman stuck to it and took a commanding nine point lead with 6:14 to go in the game. This run was in part due to the phenomenal play of Paladins guard Stephen Croone. On the day the sophomore point guard tallied 24 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists.

A ferocious FGCU comeback and Jamail Jones layup led the Eagles to a 68-67 lead with 1:05 remaining. Following a Kendrec Ferrara shot conversion, Brett Comer was fouled with under six second left. He sunk them both and that sealed the game for the Eagles as Stephen Croone hauled up an unsuccessful three as time expired.

Main Eagle Contributors
Brett Comer: 21 points (6/14), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 turnovers.
Bernard Thompson: 20 points (8/21), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers
Chase Fieler: 10 points (4/8), 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks.

Box Score

Team	FGCU	Furman
Points	70	69
FG%	39.4% (26/66)	46.3% (25/54)
3PT%	18.8% (3/16)	38.9% (7/18)
Rebounds (Def-Off)	41 (22-19)	31 (23-8)
Assists	9	10
Turnovers	8	14

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FGCU To Rely On Veteran Leadership

Courtesy of Linwood Ferguson

Based on his play down the stretch last season, no one would have guessed that Brett Comer was a sophomore guard playing under a coach just as new at Florida Gulf Coast.

But sure enough, Comer averaged over 10 points and 8 assists per game over the A-Sun postseason and NCAA Tournament. ESPN analyst Skip Bayless even said that the Winter Park product was playing better than any other point guard in March Madness.

Now with new coach Joe Dooley under the helm, Dunk City has four returning starters, including Comer, that will bring veteran influence to a squad that is hungry for more.

"We've got a bunch of guys that are older. Brett Comer,  Bernard Thompson, those guys of age need to be better," Dooley said, "Chase Fieler, I think can be a terrific player. He was at the end of last year. He's got great potential."

FGCU's Golden Boy put up an average of 13 points and 6 rebounds during those last six games. A-Sun Defensive Player of the Year Bernard Thompson averaged 15 ppg during the postseason, while snatching 14 steals.

Although Dooley also said that fourth returning starter Eric McKnight "has really improved", Dunk City fans won't be able to see this until Dec. 1 against Iona (ESPN3). Reported by Seth Soffian, McKnight was suspended for the first six games of the season due to an undisclosed violation of team/school policy.

Most likely stepping into his place for the first six games will be Georgia Tech transfer Nate Hicks. Hicks, who sat out last season due to NCAA rules, was already challenging McKnight's starting role but will now see even more time. Marquette transfer Jamail Jones also becomes available.

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