FORT MYERS, Fla. – Chase Fieler scored 20 of his career-high 30 points in the second half, and Florida Gulf Coast shook off an early 12-point deficit to beat Hartford 65-51 on Tuesday morning.
Fieler shot 13 of 17 for the Eagles (1-1), who unfurled their NCAA Sweet 16 banner from last season in a pregame ceremony. Fieler's previous career-best was 22 points, reached twice last season, both times against North Florida.
Mark Nwakamma had 23 points and 10 rebounds for Hartford (0-2), which was flying back to Connecticut after Tuesday's 7 a.m. game and playing at Fairfield on Wednesday night to complete a rare college basketball road-road, back-to-back.
FGCU is now 16-1 at home since the start of last season.
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