FGCU uses big 2nd half to get past UMass 84-75

Dec 7, 2014, 04:44 pm

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Bernard Thompson had 20 points and tied a career high with six 3-pointers on Sunday as Florida Gulf Coast had an 18-point lead and held on to beat Massachusetts 84-75.

Brett Comer had 14 assists with three coming during a 9-3 run that gave the Eagles (8-1) a 78-60 lead with 2:59 left on Marc Eddy Norelia's layup.

UMass (5-4) led 40-38 on Derrick Gordon's layup early in the second, but Nate Hicks tied it with a field goal and FGCU took the lead for good on one of Thompson's 3s at 43-40. Thompson finished 6 of 8 from 3-point range.

Jamail Jones scored 16 points, Norelia added 15 and Julian DeBose had 13 for the Eagles, who shot 10 of 18 from 3-point range.

Donte Clark led the Minutemen with a career-high 25 points, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, and Maxie Esho added 11.