Johnson scores 17, FGCU beats SC Upstate 75-58

Jan 12, 2018, 02:13 am

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Zach Johnson had 17 points, on 8-of-11 shooting, and six assists and Dinero Mercurius scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers, to help Florida Gulf Coast beat USC Upstate 75-58 on Thursday night.

Ricky Doyle added 11 points for FGCU (11-8, 2-0 Atlantic Sun).

Michael Gilmore had a 3-point play to highlight a 10-0 run that gave the Eagles a 14-7 midway through the first half and Upstate (5-14, 0-2) trailed the rest of the way. Mercurius scored 11 points during a 14-0 spurt that made it 31-13 and pushed FGCU's lead into double figures for good.

The Eagles led by 21 points at the break and a dunk by Doyle gave them their biggest lead, 71-42, 4:52 remaining.

Avery Diggs had 12 points, Jure Span scored 11 and Malik Moore 10 for the Spartans. Upstate made just 22 of 66 from the field, including 8 of 31 (26 percent) from 3-point range.

The Eagles shot 49 percent (32 of 65) and outrebounded Upstate 47-34.