Morant scores 16; Florida Gulf Coast holds off Siena 73-69 (Dec 09, 2016)

By AP
Published

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Demetris Morant scored a career-high 16 points, Brandon Goodwin added 14 and Florida Gulf Coast held off Siena 73-69 on Friday night for its fifth straight win.

Morant had 12 points in the first half when the Eagles (6-3) shot 73 percent (19 of 26) for a 45-32 lead.

The lead was 17, 54-37, when Reggie Reid hit a 3-pointer with 14:08 to play. It was 14 on a free throw by Goodwin at the 6:27 mark before Sienna closed in with a 17-7 run, including 11 straight. The run, which made it 69-63, was stopped by Marc-Eddy Norelia's two free throws and after a Sienna basket he fed Morant for a dunk.

Two free throws by Brett Bisping pulled the Saints within 71-69. Zach Johnson made 1 of 2 free throws with 20.3 seconds to play and after the Eagles forced a jump ball he made two with 2 seconds left to secure the win.

Bisping led Sienna (3-7) with 15 points and nine rebounds.