Payton Youngblood had a career-high 26 points as North Alabama got past Florida Gulf Coast 96-81 in the semifinals of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tourney
North Alabama seeks revenge on FGCU
February 6, 2021 GMT
Alico Arena, Fort Myers, Florida; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Florida Gulf Coast goes for the season sweep over North Alabama after winning the previous matchup in Fort Myers. The teams last faced each other on Feb. 5, when the Eagles shot 46.6 percent from the field while limiting North Alabama to just 34.2 percent en route to a 26-point victory.
BIG MEN ON CAMPUS: Florida Gulf Coast’s Cyrus Largie has averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds while Caleb Catto has put up 13.4 points and 4.3 rebounds. For the Lions, Mervin James has averaged 15.2 points and 7.4 rebounds while Emanuel Littles has put up 9.4 points and 10.1 rebounds.
North Alabama, FGCU meet in conference play
February 4, 2021 GMT
Alico Arena, Fort Myers, Florida; Friday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Atlantic Sun foes meet as North Alabama takes on Florida Gulf Coast. Both teams are coming off of losses this past Saturday. Florida Gulf Coast lost 77-66 at home to Stetson, while North Alabama fell 82-72 at North Florida.
BIG MEN ON CAMPUS: Florida Gulf Coast’s Cyrus Largie has averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while Caleb Catto has put up 13.7 points and 4.2 rebounds. For the Lions, Mervin James has averaged 15.4 points and 7.5 rebounds while Emanuel Littles has put up 9.5 points and 10.2 rebounds.
Perry, Stetson visit FGCU
Alico Arena, Fort Myers, Florida; Friday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Two guards will be on display as Rob Perry and Stetson will face Caleb Catto and Florida Gulf Coast. The sophomore Perry is averaging eight points over the last five games. Catto, a junior, has scored 20 percent of the team’s points this season and is averaging 15 over his last five games.
ARE YOU EXPERIENCED: Florida Gulf Coast has been fueled by senior leadership this year while Stetson has leaned on freshmen. Seniors Catto, Jalen Warren and Eli Abaev have collectively scored 43 percent of Florida Gulf Coast’s points this season. On the other bench, freshmen Perry, Chase Johnston and Josh Smith have combined to score 50 percent of the team’s points this year.
FGCU looks to sweep Lipscomb
January 23, 2021 GMT
Allen Arena, Nashville, Tennessee; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Florida Gulf Coast goes for the season sweep over Lipscomb after winning the previous matchup in Nashville. The teams last played each other on Jan. 22, when the Eagles outshot Lipscomb from the field 44.3 percent to 41 percent and hit five more 3-pointers on their way to a 79-69 victory.
SENIOR STUDS: Florida Gulf Coast’s Caleb Catto, Jalen Warren and Eli Abaev have combined to score 42 percent of the team’s points this season, including 41 percent of all Eagles scoring over the last five games.