Thompson nets 18, Florida Gulf Coast uses big first half to defeat Jacksonville 78-55

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Bernard Thompson scored 18 points and Chase Fieler finished a rebound shy of a double-double as Florida Gulf Coast opened a massive first-half advantage and cruised over Jacksonville 78-55 in Atlantic Sun Conference action Saturday.

Thompson was 7-of-12 shooting while Fieler scored 10 points with nine rebounds and three blocks for the Eagles (10-6, 2-1).

Glenn Powell led the Dolphins (7-9, 2-1) with 19 points and Kordario Fleming had 11 rebounds and four assists on top of seven points.

Florida Gulf Coast opened with a 13-2 lead capped by Sherwood Brown's jumper just over 5 minutes into the game. The Eagles closed the half on a 26-10 run and held the Dolphins to a single field goal over the final 6 minutes for a 43-17 intermission advantage.

Florida Gulf Coast is now 8-0 at home this year, tying the program's Division I record for consecutive home victories.