Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Defeat North Alabama Lions 72-64
Thursday, January 29, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Alico Arena
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 72, North Alabama Lions 64, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won North Alabama Lions vs Florida Gulf Coast Eagles?
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles beat North Alabama Lions 72-64 at Alico Arena on January 29, 2026.
Who was favored in North Alabama Lions vs Florida Gulf Coast Eagles?
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -575 (about 85% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles secured a 72-64 victory over the North Alabama Lions at Alico Arena. This win adds to the Eagles' positive record against the Lions, improving their head-to-head tally to 3-0 over the last two seasons.
The Eagles entered the game with a home record of 9-13 and a recent form of 3-7 over their last ten games, but they were looking to break a two-game losing streak. Their scoring average in those last ten games was 76.4 points per game, while they allowed an average of 77.7 points. In contrast, the Lions had a record of 6-13 and had struggled recently, going 2-8 in their last ten games with an average of 68.7 points scored and 80.7 points allowed.
The matchup was particularly significant given the Eagles' recent struggles at home, where they had a record of 2-3 in their last five games. North Alabama, meanwhile, had not fared well on the road, with a home record of 0-4 in their last five games. The Eagles had previously defeated the Lions 72-55 earlier in the season on January 3, showcasing their ability to control the matchup.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but both teams have faced challenges throughout the season. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Eagles favored by 9.5 points, with a total set at 147.5. The odds indicated a strong belief in the Eagles' ability to win this game, with a moneyline of -575, while the Lions were positioned at +425.
The game unfolded with the Eagles demonstrating their scoring prowess, particularly in the second half. Key plays included a 12-foot floating jump shot by Canin Jefferson and a 23-foot three-point jumper by Dallas Howell, both of which helped maintain the Eagles' lead. Donte Bacchus contributed significantly, making crucial layups and free throws, while Michael Duax also added to the scoreboard with free throws that solidified the Eagles' advantage.
As the game progressed, the Lions attempted to close the gap with a dunk from Corneilous Williams, but the Eagles' defense held strong, ensuring they maintained control until the final buzzer. The Eagles' ability to execute in critical moments and their defensive resilience were pivotal in securing the win.
Overall, this game highlighted the Eagles' strength at home and their capability to bounce back from recent setbacks, while the Lions continued to struggle in their pursuit of consistency this season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | FGCU -9.5 | 147.5 o -108 / u -112 | North Alabama Lions +425 · Florida Gulf Coast Eagles -575 |
Leaders
- PointsJordan Ellerbee18Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
- AssistsRahmir Barno9Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
- ReboundsRory Stewart8Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
- PointsDonte Bacchus21North Alabama Lions
- AssistsKevin de Kovachich2North Alabama Lions
- ReboundsCorneilous Williams10North Alabama Lions
Recent form
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Last 10: 3-7Streak L276.4 scored · 77.7 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L71-86at Lipscomb BisonsJan 23
- L62-83at Austin Peay GovernorsJan 22
- W90-72vs West Georgia WolvesJan 17
- L74-85vs Queens University RoyalsJan 16
- L77-84vs Lipscomb BisonsJan 10
- L71-82vs Austin Peay GovernorsJan 9
- W72-55at North Alabama LionsJan 3
- L83-85at Central Arkansas BearsJan 1
- W84-43vs Fort Lauderdale EaglesDec 28
- L80-102at UCF KnightsDec 20
North Alabama Lions
Last 10: 2-8Streak L368.7 scored · 80.7 allowed per game2-4 away
- L62-87at Queens University RoyalsJan 22
- L68-90vs Jacksonville DolphinsJan 17
- L91-105vs North Florida OspreysJan 16
- W82-73at Bellarmine KnightsJan 10
- L80-88at Eastern Kentucky ColonelsJan 9
- L55-72vs Florida Gulf Coast EaglesJan 3
- L67-70vs Stetson HattersJan 1
- L57-91at Loyola Marymount LionsDec 20
- L60-68at Alabama A&M BulldogsDec 16
- W65-63at San Francisco DonsDec 4
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley | 25-9 | - | 14-4 |
| California Baptist | 25-9 | 1 | 13-5 |
| Utah Tech | 19-15 | 2 | 11-7 |
| UT Arlington | 18-14 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Southern Utah | 10-22 | 7 | 6-12 |
| Tarleton State | 14-18 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-19 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Austin Peay | 22-9 | +1 | 15-3 |
| Central Arkansas | 22-12 | +1 | 15-3 |
| Queens University | 21-14 | 2 | 13-5 |
| Lipscomb | 19-13 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Florida Gulf Coast | 16-18 | 7 | 8-10 |
| West Georgia | 15-17 | 6 | 8-10 |
| Bellarmine | 13-19 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Jacksonville | 12-20 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Stetson | 12-21 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 11-21 | 7 | 7-11 |
| North Florida | 7-25 | 10 | 5-13 |
| North Alabama | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | North Alabama Lions | Florida Gulf Coast Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 22-52 | 25-60 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 42 |
| Three-pointers | 3-15 | 12-31 |
| Three-point % | 20 | 39 |
| Free throws | 17-24 | 10-11 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 91 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 24 |
| Assists | 8 | 15 |
| Steals | 9 | 7 |
| Blocks | 3 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 16 |
| Fouls | 15 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 21 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 5 | 87 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half30-34Canin Jefferson makes driving layup
- 1st Half30-37Rory Stewart makes 27-foot three point jumper (Rahmir Barno assists)
- 2nd Half30-39Michael Duax makes 1-foot dunk (Rahmir Barno assists)
- 2nd Half32-39Corneilous Williams makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half32-42Jordan Ellerbee makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half34-42Canin Jefferson makes layup
- 2nd Half34-43Jordan Ellerbee makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half34-44Jordan Ellerbee makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half36-44Donte Bacchus makes layup
- 2nd Half38-44Canin Jefferson makes layup
- 2nd Half38-46Michael Duax makes driving layup
- 2nd Half38-48Tristen Guillouette makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half38-50Jack Reddick makes driving layup
- 2nd Half39-50Donte Bacchus makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-53Jack Reddick makes 25-foot three point jumper (Rory Stewart assists)
- 2nd Half39-56Darren Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jack Reddick assists)
- 2nd Half41-56Canin Jefferson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half42-56Donte Bacchus makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-56Donte Bacchus makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half46-56Kevin de Kovachich makes 24-foot three point jumper (Braylon Patton assists)
- 2nd Half46-59Jordan Ellerbee makes 23-foot three point jumper (Rahmir Barno assists)
- 2nd Half46-61Rahmir Barno makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-61Donte Bacchus makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-63Jordan Ellerbee makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half48-66Rory Stewart makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half49-66Braylon Patton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-67Rahmir Barno makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-68Rahmir Barno makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-70George Washington III makes 18-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half50-70Braylon Patton makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-70Braylon Patton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-70Donte Bacchus makes layup (Cortez Graham-Howard assists)
- 2nd Half55-70Canin Jefferson makes 12-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half58-70Dallas Howell makes 23-foot three point jumper (Canin Jefferson assists)
- 2nd Half60-70Donte Bacchus makes layup
- 2nd Half61-70Donte Bacchus makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-70Donte Bacchus makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-71Michael Duax makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-72Michael Duax makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-72Corneilous Williams makes 1-foot dunk (Kevin de Kovachich assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, below favours North Alabama Lions.
Venue
- Alico ArenaFort Myers, FL
- Attendance1649
- OfficialsShane Land, Nick Nadeau, Julian Legido
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