Reed Baker scored 27 points and Anthony Banks added 21 to lead Florida Gulf Coast past South Carolina-Upstate 86-82 on Monday night.
The Eagles (2-6, 1-0 Atlantic Sun Conference) led by as many as 14 points, 36-22, with 3:05 left in the first half on a layup by Derrick O'Neil, but the Spartans (1-7, 1-1) pulled within 41-39 at halftime.
Upstate opened the second half on a 10-4 run. Josh Chavis, who hit two 3-pointers during the spurt, gave the Eagles a 49-45 lead on a 3 with 16:34 to play.
The Eagles then overcame a 64-61 deficit on six straight points to take the lead for good, 67-64, on two free throws by Baker with 5:59 to play.
Chavis led the Spartans with 34 points and Carter Cook added 16.
Nick Schneiders finished with seven blocks and became the Upstate's career leader in blocks with 143, breaking Kevin Harrington's record of 136 set from 2000-04.
