The exciting run to the Northeast Conference championship cannot be taken from Fairleigh Dickinson University. On Tuesday evening in Dayton, it was good (Kn)night. Florida Gulf Coast dominated the Knights to move on with a date against North Carolina on Tuesday.
FGCU’s offensive efficiency was 120 and highlighted by a 26 of 34 (.765) shooting percentage inside the arc. FDU was 81 in offensive efficiency and struggled to find the range all night. The Knights shot better from three than two-point range, as they hit 8 of 23 (.348) from downtown and 15 for 47 (.319) inside. A silver lining if one can be found, lie in turnover percentage. FDU forced the opposition into a 23 percent TO rate while committing turnovers themselves at just an 11 percent rate.
Marc-Eddy Norella led all scorers with 20 points. The FGCU junior forward used only 19 percent of his team’s possessions in ringing up a game-high 156 offensive rating. Efficiency personified. Earl Potts Jr. paced the Knights with 20 points.
Coach Greg Herenda’s FDU team finishes the season 18-15. In his third year at the school, Herenda led his group to the title and has everyone back. FGCU of the Atlantic Sun, coached by another New Jersey native, Joe Dooley, is now 21-13.
