ESTERO, FL – Despite having a 36-34 lead at the break, the FGCU men's basketball team (2-5) could not contain the UTSA (1-5) offense who shot nearly 55 percent in the second half as the Eagles fell to the Roadrunners, 76-65, in the final game of the Gulf Coast Showcase, Wednesday afternoon at Hertz Arena.

FGCU had three players score in double-digits led by Christian Carlyle (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenney HS) with 16 points. Schadrac Casimir (Samford, Conn./Iona/Trinity Catholic HS) and Haanif Cheatham (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Marquette/Pembroke Pines HS) both added 14 points each as Cheatham finished with four rebounds. Brady Ernst (Clinton, Iowa/Indian Hills/Iowa State/Clinton HS) – who got his third start of the year – snagged a game-high 11 rebounds.

UTSA was led Jhivvan Jackson with 21 points off the bench while Keaton Wallace added 19 points and Nick Allen chipping in 13 points.

"I thought we did a good job coming out with energy in the first half," said head coach Michael Fly. "I thought we were playing the way we were capable of. They went on a little bit of a run and I feel like we didn't hit back very well. We came back out in the second half, they went on a run and we didn't respond. We're going to get back to the building blocks when we start practice on Friday and get this thing right."

The lead was no bigger than three points for either side through the first eight minutes until Cheatham connected on a three-point play after getting fouled, making it a 13-7 contest. Under the 10-minute mark, Casimir's mid-range jumper gave FGCU's its biggest lead, 21-13. Just as it looked like the Eagles were pulling away, Jackson's back-to-back treys for UTSA pulled them to within one as Wallace tied the game at 22-22 with a bucket and a free throw.

The match would be tied four more times in the final eight minutes as a layup from Casimir gave FGCU a 36-34 lead going into the break. FGCU shot 41 percent during the first 20 minutes while holding the Roadrunners to just 35 percent.

In the second half, UTSA came out of the gates going a on 12-5 run spearheaded by back-to-back three-pointers from Wallace before a pair of free throws (14:28 mark) from Ricky Doyle (Cape Coral, FL/Michigan/Bishop Verot HS) cut the Roadrunner's margin to 46-41. From there, the Eagles would get to as close as seven points (51-44, 13:26) as UTSA built a lead as large as 17 with 2:27 left en route to the 76-65 final.

All said FGCU shot 39 percent from the field – lowest mark of the season – despite winning the paint battle 32-30. UTSA ended the contest shooting 45 percent from the floor.

UP NEXT  
FGCU will look to get rid of a three-game losing streak when the Eagles travel across Alligator Alley this weekend to face cross-town foe FAU (4-1) Sunday at 3 pm.

SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram. Like us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB and watch us on Snapchat at FGCU_MBB.

YOUNG ALUMNI
FGCU recently announced a program in which young alumni – those who have graduated from FGCU within the past five years – can save between 30-70 percent off Priority Level 4 and 5 section season tickets, in addition to receiving discounted Eagles Club membership, which is needed for select premier seats inside Alico Arena. Those interested in taking advantage of this offer are asked to click here or visit FGCUAthletics.com/YoungAlumni to complete a form. Following that, an FGCU Ticket Office representative will be in contact to set up an account. For more information, call 239-590-7145, email tickets@fgcu.edu or visit the Alico Arena Ticket Office Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

COACH FLY
Michael Fly was introduced as the 4th FGCU men's basketball head coach on April 5, 2018. He had spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach on the Eagles' staff. In that time, he helped FGCU to a 155-86 record (.643 winning percentage), including six ASUN Tournament Final appearances, three NCAA Tournament victories, three ASUN Tournament titles and three ASUN Regular Season Championships, two berths in the NIT, a CIT appearance and a run to the Sweet Sixteen. He has coached a dozen all-conference selections while with the Green and Blue, including two ASUN Player of the Year honors in Sherwood Brown and Brandon Goodwin, and two ASUN Defensive Player of the Year selections in Bernard Thompson and Demetris Morant. Of the top-10 players in career points at FGCU, Fly has helped develop eight of them, including all-time leading scorer Thompson (1,835). Additionally, the Kentucky alumnus has coached both the ASUN all-time assists leader Brett Comer (845; 24th in NCAA history) and FGCU all-time leading rebounder Chase Fieler (714).

SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.