Norelia scores 22, sparks FGCU past SC-Upstate 71-64

Feb 11, 2016, 09:50 pm

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Marc Eddy Norelia scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help Florida Gulf Coast to a 71-64 win over South Carolina-Upstate Thursday night.

Norelia scored a layup with just under 12 minutes left to knot the score at 49-49. The basket sparked an 11-0 run for FGCU (15-11, 6-4) over the next 2 1/2 minutes, staking the Eagles to a lead they never surrendered.

Demetris Morant scored six points in the run, including two dunks, and Reggie Reid hit a 3-pointer. SC-Upstate missed four shots and had a turnover during that same span.

Rayjon Tucker added 15 points and Morant 10 on 5-for-6 shooting for the Eagles, who shot 57-percent from the field and held a 42-35 rebounding edge.

Malik Moore led SC-Upstate (8-19, 2-8) with 13 points. Deion Holmes, who averages 12 points a game, made 1 of 13 field goals, 0-for-7 from 3-point range, and finished with 3 points.