FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — Florida Gulf Coast outlasted Central Arkansas 75-71 in overtime in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Alico Arena. The Eagles improved to 14-15 overall, while the Bears fell to 18-11. Jordan Ellerbee led all scorers with 23 points for Florida Gulf Coast. Camren Hunter scored 24 points for Central Arkansas, and Ty Robinson added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The contest was a rematch of a Jan. 1 meeting won by Central Arkansas 85-83. This time, the Eagles secured the ASUN Conference victory in the extra period. Florida Gulf Coast was projected as a slight favorite by analytics despite Central Arkansas being a narrow pregame betting favorite.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit and missed opportunities, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles outlasted the Central Arkansas Bears 75-71 in overtime Saturday in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball clash at Alico Arena. The victory, sealed by clutch free throws from Isaiah Malone in the final seconds of the extra period, snapped a three-game winning streak for Central Arkansas and avenged a two-point home loss to the Bears earlier in the season. Central Arkansas, which entered the contest with the better record and as a slight pregame favorite, fought back from a sluggish start and a nine-point second-half deficit to force overtime. The Bears were led by a heroic performance from guard Camren Hunter, who scored a game-high 24 points, including four crucial free throws in the final minute of regulation to tie the score at 63-63. The game’s pivotal sequence came in the closing seconds of the second half. With the score tied, Central Arkansas had a chance to win in regulation but committed a shot clock violation with 34 seconds left. Florida Gulf Coast’s JR Konieczny then missed two free throws with five seconds remaining, giving the Bears one final look. A foul sent Truman Byrne to the line for a one-and-one with three seconds left, but he missed the front end, sending the game to an extra period tied at 63. Overtime was a tense, back-and-forth affair. Hunter’s driving layup gave Central Arkansas a 68-65 lead with three minutes left, but the Eagles responded. A corner 3-pointer from Darren Williams, who had been quiet offensively, tied the game at 68. After two more Hunter free throws put the Bears up 70-68, Florida Gulf Coast’s Jordan Ellerbee answered with a deep 3-pointer to reclaim a 71-70 lead with 42 seconds remaining. Central Arkansas’s next possession ended in a turnover, and Ellerbee finished a fast break with a dunk off a Rahmir Barno assist to extend the lead to 73-70. The Bears’ Ty Robinson was fouled on a 3-point attempt with four seconds left and made the first two free throws, cutting the deficit to 73-71. He intentionally missed the third, but Malone secured the defensive rebound and was fouled. The 6-foot-8 forward from LaGrange, Indiana, calmly sank both free throws with two seconds left to ice the game. The contest was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. Florida Gulf Coast dominated inside, outscoring Central Arkansas 42-24 in the paint and holding a 21-10 advantage in fastbreak points. The Eagles shot 30 of 70 from the field but struggled from distance, making just 8 of 30 3-point attempts. Central Arkansas was colder overall, shooting 23 of 61, and relied heavily on the 3-pointer, making 11 of 32. Ellerbee led the Eagles with 23 points, while Barno added 13 points and five assists. Malone finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, with his final rebounds and free throws proving decisive. For Central Arkansas, Hunter’s 24 points were supplemented by 12 points and 11 rebounds from Ty Robinson for a double-double. Cole McCormick just missed one of his own with nine points and nine rebounds. The loss drops Central Arkansas to 18-11 overall, while Florida Gulf Coast improves to 14-15. Both teams continue ASUN play next week, with the Bears traveling to face Austin Peay and the Eagles heading to North Florida. The most critical phase of the game was the final minute of regulation and the entirety of the overtime period. Central Arkansas, having clawed back from a significant deficit, had multiple chances to win or seize control but was undone by a critical shot clock violation and missed free throws. Florida Gulf Coast, conversely, made the necessary plays when it mattered most, with Ellerbee’s late three and Malone’s composure at the line ultimately determining the outcome in a game where neither team could sustain consistent offensive execution.

Preview: Central Arkansas Bears at Florida Gulf Coast Eagles FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — A surging Central Arkansas team looks to extend its winning streak when it visits Florida Gulf Coast in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Alico Arena. The Bears (18-10, 12-3 ASUN) enter on an eight-game winning streak, their latest an 88-76 road victory at Stetson on Thursday. Central Arkansas has not lost since Jan. 24. The Eagles (13-15, 8-7), meanwhile, have won three of their last four, including an 86-84 home win over Jacksonville on Wednesday. They seek to protect their home court and improve their position in the conference standings. Central Arkansas is led by guard Camren Hunter, who is averaging 26.4 points over his last five games. He scored 30 points with six assists in the win at Stetson and has topped 30 points four times during the Bears’ streak. Florida Gulf Coast will counter with forward Isaiah Malone, who is coming off a 24-point performance against Jacksonville. Malone has provided a consistent interior presence, scoring in double figures in five of his last seven contests. In the teams’ first meeting this season, Central Arkansas edged Florida Gulf Coast 85-83 on Jan. 1 in Conway, Arkansas. Hunter led all scorers with 31 points in that game. The Bears have been dominant during their streak, winning by an average margin of 13.5 points. Their offense has been particularly potent, scoring 84 points or more in six of those eight victories. Florida Gulf Coast has shown resilience at home, where it is 9-5 this season. The Eagles’ recent wins over Jacksonville and Stetson at Alico Arena were both decided by two points. Saturday’s contest is a critical late-season conference game. Central Arkansas aims to solidify its hold near the top of the ASUN standings, while Florida Gulf Coast looks to build momentum ahead of the conference tournament. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.