FORT MYERS, Fla.—Florida Gulf Coast placed three players in double figures as the Eagles routed Stetson 72-50 in the Atlantic Sun Conference opener for both teams, Saturday at Alico Arena.

FGCU's Jamail Jones led all scorers with 15 points, while Marc-Eddy Norelia and Julian DuBose each had 12. Stetson was led by Kentwan Smith with 12 points. Divine Myles chipped in with 11 and added six rebounds.

After Stetson kept the game close in the firsthalf, the preseason favorite Eagles ran away with it in the final 20 minutes.

The Eagles (11-7, 1-0) led 35-25 at halftime after limiting Stetson to 31 percent shooting. It got worse for the Hatters (5-11, 0-1) in the second half when they shot just 22 percent from the field. At one point in the second half, the Hatters went over seven minutes without scoring, allowing the Eagles to turn a 56-38 advantage into a 68-38 lead.

FGCU out-rebounded Stetson 53-23. The Hatters managed just five offensive rebounds despite shooting 27 percent for the game, including 4-for-23 from 3-point range. Stetson's seven turnovers were a season-low.

The Eagles shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 50 percent in the second half. FGCU was 12-f-13 from the free throw line.

Stetson returns to the court when they visit A-Sun foe Jacksonville, 7 p.m., Wednesday.

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