BALTIMORE – The FGCU men's basketball team toppled UMBC 76-53 Sunday night inside UMBC Event Center.
 
The Eagles (4-8) collected their second-straight road win in a showdown of two NCAA Cinderella's. The Retrievers dropped to 6-6 on the year.

"I was really proud of our guys tonight. We came out sluggish, which I'm always concerned about when we're on the road. But when we put that press on them, we started to play like the way we want to play," FGCU coach Michael Fly said. "I think UMBC is going to have a really good year. That was a good win for us over a really good team. I was impressed with what I saw on film. I would like to take some of their stuff and implement it into our offense."

Senior Schadrac Casimir and junior Decardo Day led the way with 14 points apiece, and nine different Eagles found their names in the scorebook on the night.
 
FGCU shot 51 percent (26-for-51) overall for the game, 52 percent (13-for-25) from behind the 3-point arc and 73.3 percent (11-for-15) at the free-throw line.
 
Joe Sherburne led the Retrievers with 14 points, while K.J. Jackson added 12 for the home side. UMBC was held to just 30.6 percent (19-for-62) overall, 25 percent (8-for-32) from deep and 87.5 percent (7-for-8) at the charity stripe.
 
The two teams struggled to get into a rhythm out of the gates, as the scoreline read just 3-3 at the first media timeout. Sherburne caught fire from behind the arc and helped the Retrievers venture on an 8-0 run. UMBC maintained a solid cushion at 15-9, but the Eagles changed up the game plan following a much-needed media timeout.
 
The Green and Blue ratcheted up the defense and switched to a full-court press coming out of the under-12 break. That, coupled with an improved effort on the offensive side of the ball, helped the visitors mount a 31-11 run to close out the opening stanza. FGCU entered the locker room on top 40-26.
 
The Retrievers were able to remain within 14 at 50-36 with 14:40 to play, but a 16-4 surge would create enough separation for the visitors to close out the lopsided triumph.

FGCU committed 13 turnovers to just 11 for UMBC, but the visitors held a huge 44-26 rebounding margin and also led in points in the paint (22-20), second-chance points (10-7), fast-break points (11-4), and bench production (42-16).
 
UP NEXT
FGCU returns home for the first time since Dec. 2 for a contest against Keiser at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. The game inside Alico Arena will be the first between the two programs.
 
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.
 
WE'VE GOT YOUR SEAT
Experience FGCU Basketball this season. The following ticket opportunities are on sale now:
•            Punch Pass
Three entries for $15 or seven entries for $30. Remaining Punch Pass Games: Men vs Colgate and Keiser; Women vs Johnson and Wales, Abilene Christian, Coppin State, and UAB. Purchase online HERE or call 239-590-7145.
•            Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets are available for all remaining home games. Discounts are available for current or former Military and Youth ages 3-15. Purchase online HERE or call 239-590-7145.
•            Group Sales
Bring your group of 20 or more to an FGCU Men's or Women's Basketball game. All group tickets include a $5 game day discount at The Boardwalk restaurant and in game group recognition. For more information on group outings, click HERE or call 239-590-7145.
•            Young Alumni
FGCU Alumni from the classes of 2014-2018 save 30-70% off of Priority 4 or 5 GA tickets. Click HERE to fill out an interest form, or call 239-590-7145 to learn more.
 
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.
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 73 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 11+ seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just seven+ seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 34 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best 6th-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the Spring, 2018 and had an ASUN Conference and State of Florida best five teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours – being recognized as one of two runner-ups for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
 
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