FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive efficiency and relentless pressure, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles soared past the Chattanooga Mocs 91-73 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday afternoon at a lively Alico Arena.

A crowd of 1,572 watched as the Eagles used a dominant first-half performance to build a commanding lead and never looked back, improving their season record to 2-2. The Mocs, meanwhile, struggled to find a consistent rhythm and fell to 1-3 on the young season.

The contest was effectively decided in the opening period. Florida Gulf Coast came out with precision and energy, establishing a 41-25 halftime advantage. The Eagles shot an efficient 51.5 percent from the floor in the first half, while their defense held Chattanooga to just 25 points, forcing the Mocs into a difficult uphill battle after the break.

JR Konieczny was the offensive catalyst for the Eagles, pouring in a game-high 24 points and pulling down seven rebounds. The South Bend, Indiana, native was a constant threat, scoring from all three levels and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.

He was expertly supported by point guard Rahmir Barno, who orchestrated the offense with a stat line of 20 points and eight assists. The Philadelphia native’s speed and playmaking consistently broke down the Chattanooga defense, creating open looks for himself and his teammates.

The Eagles’ offensive execution was a study in efficiency. They scored 91 points on just 68 possessions, translating to an elite offensive rating of 133.6. They shot 51.5 percent from the field overall and connected on 10 of 25 attempts from beyond the arc. Their work on the glass was also decisive, as they out-rebounded the Mocs 12-4 on the offensive end, leading to 16 second-chance points.

Jordan Ellerbee and Michael Duax also made significant contributions for the home team. Ellerbee added 14 points and four rebounds, while Duax chipped in 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and a block, showcasing the balanced scoring attack that plagued Chattanooga all evening.

For the Mocs, the second half offered a slight offensive resurgence as they scored 48 points, but they could never significantly cut into the large deficit. Jordan Frison led the team with 15 points, while Teddy Washington added 12 points, three rebounds and two blocks.

Chattanooga’s struggles were multifaceted. They shot just 41.5 percent from the field and a frigid 29.6 percent from three-point range. Ball movement was also an issue, as the team managed only three total assists for the entire game, a stark contrast to the Eagles’ fluid, share-the-wealth approach. Their offensive rating of 102.5 paled in comparison to FGCU’s mark.

The Mocs also received a brief spark off the bench from Jikari Johnson, who scored all 10 of his points in the second half, including a pair of three-pointers, but the effort was too little, too late.

Defensively, Florida Gulf Coast’s activity was a key differentiator. They recorded seven steals and four blocks, with Isaiah Malone being a particular force in the paint with nine rebounds and two blocks. The Eagles also dominated points in the paint, outscoring Chattanooga 42-26, and capitalized on turnovers, scoring 16 points off Mocs’ miscues.

The game’s final score of 164 total points went under the pre-game over/under line of 151.5. The result was also an upset according to statistical projections, which had given Chattanooga a 75.6 percent probability of victory.

Chattanooga will look to regroup on the road Wednesday at South Carolina State. Florida Gulf Coast also hits the road for its next contest, traveling to face Samford on Wednesday.