NORMAL, ILL.- The FGCU Eagles (0-1) fell 74-66 in their 2018-19 opener on Tuesday, turning the ball over 20 times for 22 Illinois State (1-0) points on the night.

"I thought we hit them good at first" Michael Fly said after sitting in the head coaches' chair for the first time in his career. "But after they hit us back, we staggered a little bit instead of fighting right back.  I thought we took a few quick shots, for a minute or two, we stopped moving the ball and went 1-on-1 a little bit too much. A lot of these guys haven't played together before tonight.  Our goal is to continue to get better and be at our best when it matters the most.

The aptly named 'Dunk City' started their 2018-19 season in just that way as Ricky Doyle (Cape Coral, FL/Michigan/Bishop Verot HS) got loose underneath and finished with a two handed slam to give the Eagles a quick lead to begin the game. 

FGCU got defensive stops on each of their first four possessions on that end of the court and used those to jump out in front of the Redbirds 6-0. 

Illinois State rebounded to tie the score back up at 13 out of the under 12 media timeout, which is when Troy Baxter Jr. (Tallahassee, FL/UNLV/Oldsmar Christian HS) stepped up for FGCU.  Baxter started with a monster one handed slam on a backdoor cut and answered that with a three from the corner to make it 18-13 Eagles.

A 7-0 Illinois State run gave the Redbirds their first lead of the night and they never loosened their grip on it the rest of the night. 

With 4:10 left in the first half, Illinois State pushed their lead to eight and when up by as many as 11 late in the half before settling for a 47-38 lead at the break.

The Eagles shot 46% from the field in the half and 42% from the three point line, but were hurt by 13 first half turnovers that turned into 19 Redbird points. 

The two teams traded baskets early in the second half as Illinois State remained comfortably in front by a dozen six minutes in. 

Baxter came up with another highlight reel play on a putback dunk to stop the Redbird momentum and it led the Eagles on an 8-0 run to cut the Illinois State lead to just four at 52-48 with 9:55 left.

The Eagles got it to a one possession game twice last in the half, but couldn't break past that barrier.

A late three from Schadrac Casimir (Stamford, Conn./Iona/Trinity Catholic), his sixth of the game, gave FGCU a final breath, but could never get any closer as they fell at the end of the night 74-66. 

Both teams finished the night shooting 44% overall from the field.  The Eagles had 20 turnovers in the loss and gave up 17 second chance points. 

Casimir lead FGCU with 18 points and six threes in the win. Dinero Mercurius (Orlando, FL/Daytona State/UTRGV/USF) and Haanif Cheatham (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Marquette/Pembroke Pines HS) also reached double figures with 11 and 10 respectively. Christian Carlyle (Jacksonville, FL/Bishop Kenny HS) paced the Eagles with 9 rebounds in the defeat.  

NEXT UP
The Eagles will have a quick turnaround as they return home Wednesday before taking on Southeastern University Thursday in their home opener in Alico Arena. That game is set for a 7 PM tip.  The Eagles will have a quick turnaround as after returning home from Normal on Wednesday afternoon, they will play Southeastern just about 24 hours later in Alico Arena in their 2018-19 home opener. There will be lots going on for the opener Thursday.
 
-Student Government is sponsoring Rally at the Roc before the game. The event is exclusively for FGCU students and includes free food, prizes and giveaways, and a over 21 beer garden, its hours are 4:30 to 6:45. Students are reminded to park in designated student game day parking areas.
 
-FGCU is collecting food donations at home events all during November. Donations benefit FGCU Campus and Harry Chapin Food Banks.  Donations can be dropped off at the marketing table in the Alico Arena lobby.
 
-Veterans Appreciation is all weekend in Alico: including Thursday's contest as well as Senior Night volleyball on 11/10 and WBB 11/12. Veterans receive free admission (with valid ID) and accompanying family members receive tickets for half price. As part of the celebration on 11/8 and 11/12, service pictures of our fans will be shared on Eagle Vision, service hymns will be played during media time outs as we honor veterans with a Certificate of Appreciation from FGCU Athletics as well as a free barbeque sandwich from Mission Barbeque.
 
-The Eagles ASUN regular season championship banner will be dropped pregame. Fans are recommended to be seated by 6:45 to not miss the action. The women's regular season championship and NCAA banners will drop on 11/12 prior to their game. Fans are recommended to be seated by 6:45 to not miss the action.
 
-First 100 fans that show the FGCU Wings Up fan app at the marketing table receive a FGCU custom "Holdin' Down the Fort" rally towel. More prizes and experiences are available all season by using the FGCU Wings Up app.
 
-Students may ride a fan bus to Rally @ The Roc and the  game on Thursday. Pick up is at South Village, West Lake and Garage 1. Pick up starts at 4:30 and runs until 7pm, and drop off will begin after the game.
 
-Students involved with the National Pan-Hellenic Council will be performing a dance routine at halftime.
 
HOME OPENER TICKET INFORMATION
-Get the best value in Southwest Florida with the FGCU Basketball Punch Pass. Three games for $15 or Seven games for $30. Men's games on 11/8, 12/2, and 12/19. Women's games on 11/12, 12/14, 12/17, 12/19, and 12/21.  Purchase online by CLICKING HERE
 
-Limited season tickets are still on sale, see all the action from the best possible seats. Call 239-590-7145 for more information.
 
THE SOUTHEASTERN FIRE
The Fire have been picked first by The Sun Conference coaches in their presea­son poll, garnering seven of nine first place votes.

Southeastern won The Sun Conference Championship last year with a win over Keiser in the title game.

The Fire are transfer heavy, with 10 of the 15 players on their roster starting thier careers elsewhere.

Southeastern is ranked 11th in picked them second in the preseason poll.
 
The Eagles are 2-0 against the Fire with their wins coming in their 2003 and 2012 seasons.   
 
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.
 
SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
Fans can purchase or learn more about season tickets by contacting an Alico Arena Ticket Office representative over the phone at 239-590-7145 or by visiting the office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additional information is available on FGCUTickets.com.
 
As an added incentive, new or returning season-ticket holders who purchase seats will be entered into a contest for an FGCU jersey autographed by either the women's or men's team.
 
Season ticket seat locations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Like in the past, Eagles Club membership may be required for certain seats, with giving levels utilized for access to better locations.
 
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.