FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU men's basketball team mounted a late rally to knock off Keiser 87-85 Wednesday night inside Alico Arena.
 
The Eagles (5-8) won their third-straight contest, while the game served as an exhibition for the Seahawks (5-9).
 
"Keiser was really competitive tonight. They came here expecting to win the game," FGCU coach Michael Fly said. "I didn't think we competed for most of the night. We were fortunate that Zach (Scott), Caleb (Catto) and some of our guys stepped up for us, but I was disappointed in our effort overall."
 
FGCU was led by a monster performance from Zach Scott. He scored 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting, which marked the highest total by an Eagle this season. The true freshman was also 6-for-8 from behind the arc. Classmate Caleb Catto ended his night with 12 points, marking his first voyage into double-digit scoring.
 
Senior Schadrac Casimir contributed 14 points, while junior RaySean Scott Jr. filled the stat sheet with 12 rebounds, eight points, four blocks, three steals, and two assists.
 
The Green and Blue shot 50.9 percent (28-for-55) from the field, 45.8 percent (11-for-24) from behind the 3-point line and 57.1 percent (20-for-35) from the free-throw line.
 
The visitors shot 45.6 percent (31-for-68) overall, 42.9 percent (12-for-28) from deep and 78.6 percent (11-for-14) at the foul line.
 
Andrija Matic tallied a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Marko Orlic scored a team-leading 24 points, while Bryce Thurston added 18 off the bench.
 
The Eagles ran a perfectly-executed set play to start the game that ended with a vicious dunk from junior Brady Ernst, but that would be the last time they would hold a lead until the second half. KU scored the next six points and eventually stretched their lead out to 46-34 late in the opening frame. A layup from junior Christian Carlyle and a 3-pointer from Catto helped cut the deficit down to 46-39 heading into the break.
 
FGCU exploded out of the locker room, scoring the first 10 points to go ahead 49-46. However, the visitors continued to connect on outside shots and regained a 63-57 lead at the midway point of the second half.
 
The Seahawks found their largest lead of the period at 78-70 with 4:49 remaining, but that would not be enough of a cushion to hold the Eagles at bay. The furious comeback featured layups from Catto and junior Decardo Day, and two 3-point baskets from Scott brought FGCU level at 83-83 with 1:28 to play.
 
Both sides sank a pair of free throws on back-to-back possessions, and Scott Jr. drew a charge with 8.7 seconds left to give the home side one last opportunity to swipe the victory. On the final possession, Casimir was fouled driving the lane and calmly swished both free throws. Keiser was unable to get a shot off at the buzzer, as the Eagles secured their third win in a row.
 
FGCU led the evening in points in the paint (32-26) and points off the bench (27-25), while the Seahawks led in points off turnovers (17-16), second-chance points (7-0) and fast-break points (12-0).
 
UP NEXT
The Green and Blue trek to Sunrise, Florida, for a showdown with Florida. The Eagles and Gators will lock up at 5 p.m. Dec. 22 inside BB&T Center.
 
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: Women vs UAB. 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 an FGCU hat ($15 value), a $5 game day discount at The Boardwalk restaurant, in game group recognition and more. For more information on group outings, click 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.
Military Appreciation Games
Military Appreciation Night is Saturday, January 5. Discounted tickets are available for current or former Military and their families. Women's tickets start at $8 each and Men's tickets start at $9 each and the first 50 military discount orders include a free $10 gift card for Mission BBQ. Purchase online HERE or call 239-590-7145.
 
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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