Bears
Defense runs out of gas as Bears fall Florida Gulf Coast, 77-71
Elias Cato scores 29 in losing effort against Eagles, including 21 in second half after staying close in first half
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Central Arkansas put together a solid first half of defense but eventually ran out of gas in a 77-71 loss to the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in ASUN action at Alico Arena on Saturday.
The Bears’ pressing defense and carried them throughout the first half and they trailed just 30-28 at the half. But the Eagles (8-9, 3-1), who had nine turnovers in the first 20 minutes, came alive in the second half, shooting 64 percent from the field and making six of their eight three-pointers.
UCA’s lone senior Elias Cato scored 21 of his career-high 29 points in the second half and made 5 of 10 from three-point range to keep the Bears within striking distance. The Bears, who continue to battle injuries, played just eight players. Sophomore D.J. Seixas added 11 points, two short of his career high, while freshman Layne Taylor had 10 points and four assists.
“I told the guys, I’m not a hypocrite,” said UCA coach John Shulman. “I asked for effort and they gave us great effort. I can’t be mad at them because we can’t make a shot, or for this or that. I can be upset about (lack of) effort, and our effort was great.
“We were effective and disruptive on defense in the first half but we just wore out in the second half. You can only do that so long when you’re playing eight guys. We came out in the second half and we were not the same team.”
The Bears and Eagles were tied in the final minute of the first half before FGCU got a dunk to make it a two-point game at the half. It stayed that way for the first four minutes of the second half until the Eagles put together a 9-0 scoring run to go up 12 points.
UCA would cut the margin to single digits several times down the stretch, including eight points after a Cato three-pointer with 22.8 seconds remaining. Seixas set the final with a rebound basket with 2.7 on the clock.
FGCU had four in double figures, led by Zavian McLean with 20 points and four three-pointers.
“They are trying really, really hard,” said Shulman. “And I wish I could do more for them, to be honest, because I think they need to be rewarded some how, some way. I don’t want them to get discouraged, but it’s hard not to. But as the head coach, I cannot be discouraged.
“But with the guys we are missing, we’re just a hodge podge of a basketball team right now, trying to hold it together. And it’s not easy. But they are still fighting it. And as long as they fight, we’re heading in the right direction.”
UCA will be on the road again next week, and back in Florida, to take on North Florida on Thursday and Jacksonville on Saturday.
