Owls Overcome Double-Digit Deficit to Defeat FGCU

Sunday, December 7

Fort Myers, Fla.

2 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

6-3,0-0American

FGCU

5-5,0-0ASUN

Fla. Atlantic

FGCU

Photo by: Dylan Heinen

12/7/2025 6:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Ben Paul

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A 14-2 run and a second-half explosion from freshman guard Josiah Parker propelled the Florida Atlantic men's basketball team's 81-76 come-from-behind victory against Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday afternoon.

The Owls (6-3) found themselves trailing the Eagles (5-5) by 11 points in the second half before the comeback was on.

Redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool once again led the way, this time with a 24-point performance. But it was Parker who delivered a birthday performance to remember, scoring 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting, all coming in the final 11 minutes. The duo combined for 23 out of Florida Atlantic's final 30 points.

FIRST HALF
The Owls jumped out to an early lead, converting five of their first eight attempts from the field between combined buckets from sophomore guard Isaiah Elohim, Vanterpool, and redshirt sophomore forward Devin Williams.

FAU's advantage grew to 17-9 before FGCU closed the gap. Four lead changes in the final minute culminated in the Eagles converting a layup with eight seconds to go to send Florida Atlantic into the locker room trailing 37-36.

Staying aggressive in the paint, eight of the Owls' 17 rebounds came on offense.

SECOND HALF
Through the opening seven minutes, the Owls found their first nine points from the free throw line. FGCU's lead grew to 11, up 56-45 with 13 minutes left.

Redshirt freshman guard Amar Amkou was the initial spark plug, finding FAU's first field goal of the period underneath to open a 6-0 run that cut the deficit to five. Parker then took over with six points inside, including a soaring tip-in layup that put the Owls within two.

With under eight minutes remaining, Vanterpool tied the game at 62 on a stepback jumper before back-to-back threes from the Eagles put the Owls down by six. Florida Atlantic responded right away with the game-sealing 14-2 run, starting with two and-ones from Parker and a driving layup by Elohim to even the score at 70 apiece at the four-minute mark.

Parker closed it out on back-to-back layups with less than two minutes to go for a 74-70 lead that was not relinquished.

PRESS CONFERENCE

GALLERY

Gallery: (12-7-2025) MBB at FGCU

STATS & NOTES

Vanterpool reached the 20-point mark for the third time of the season. He converted all 12 of his attempts at the charity stripe, the first Owl with 10+ in a game since Johnell Davis in January of 2023. He also hauled in a game-high eight rebounds, now recording at least five in each of the team's first nine games.
Parker's 16 points is his collegiate best and his first double-digit scoring outing.
Williams, who entered the day tied No. 7 in the nation in blocks per game, added four. He has tallied at least three in six consecutive games.
The Owls went to the free throw line 32 times and converted 27 of their attempts, both season highs.

UP NEXT
The Owls will host two games at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena in the upcoming week, first Saint Leo on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. followed by Albany on Sunday, Dec. 13 at noon. Both games will be on ESPN+.

FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.

Florida Atlantic's 2025-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.