BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast men's basketball team dropped an 85-68 decision to Florida Atlantic Sunday afternoon inside FAU Arena.
 
The Eagles (2-6) fell for the fourth game in a row, while the Owls improved to 6-1 on the campaign.
 
Senior Haanif Cheatham led FGCU with a 20-point effort on the strength of a 7-for-11 shooting performance. Fellow seniors Schadrac Casimir and Dinero Mercurius both chipped in 15 points.
 
FGCU finished with a 45.1 clip (23-for-51) from the field, while shooting 36.4 percent (8-for-22) from distance and 77.8 percent (14-for-18) at the free-throw line.
 
Xavian Stapleton poured in six 3-point baskets and finished with a career-high 27 points. Jailyn Ingram had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaylen Sebree registered 12 points off the bench.
 
FAU shot 48.5 percent (32-for-66) from the field, 33.3 percent (11-for-33) from behind the 3-point arc and 58.8 percent (10-for-17) at the free-throw line.
 
The Eagles were able to play to an 8-7 advantage four minutes into the game, but a 20-4 run over the next seven minutes would be enough for the Owls to gain a 27-12 edge. FGCU cut the deficit down to 11 with five minutes remaining in the opening half, but another spurt from the home team gave FAU a 48-29 halftime lead.
 
Florida Gulf Coast fought back to within 63-53 at the midway point of the second half, but Florida Atlantic would not allow the blue and green to get the deficit inside double digits. FAU stretched its lead back out to 20 before settling for the final 17-point margin.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles will return home for the first of four Whiteout games scheduled for this season. They will play host to Florida International at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28. The contest will be the second of a doubleheader with the women's team, who will face Houston at 5 p.m.
 
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 fourth 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.
 
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