JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The FGCU men's basketball team dropped an 87-66 contest at North Florida in an ASUN Conference matchup Saturday night in UNF Arena.
 
The Eagles (5-13, 0-3 ASUN) fell for the fifth time in a row, while the Ospreys (8-10, 2-1 ASUN) remained perfect at home this season and snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Green and Blue.
 
"I was encouraged with some things, because the press is starting to look like I want it to and guys are competing hard," FGCU coach Michael Fly said. "The reality is there aren't a lot of guys in that locker room that have been in this program and know how to win these games on the road. Because of the success we've had here, we are the hunted going into every game. Teams have been waiting for years to be able to beat us, and you have to bring that intensity every night because of the success we've had in this league."
 
FGCU was buoyed by a personal-best effort from Christian Carlyle. The junior erupted for a career-high 21 points, while also earning new top marks in made field goals (8) and 3-point baskets (3). Senior Schadrac Casimir also reached double figures, finishing with 10 points. True freshman Caleb Catto had a solid all-around performance that included five points, three rebounds and a season-best five steals. His five swipes were the most for an Eagle since Feb. 17 of last year (Brandon Goodwin).
 
Noah Horchler (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Wajid Aminu (16 points, 12 rebounds) both tallied double-doubles for UNF. J.T. Escobar (15), Ivan Gandia-Rosa (15) and Garrett Sams (10) also scored in double figures for the Ospreys.
 
The Eagles shot 36.7 percent (22-for-60) from the field, 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from 3-point land and 62.5 percent (15-for-24) at the free-throw line. UNF shot 47.7 percent (31-for-65) overall, 48.4 percent (15-for-31) from deep and 62.5 percent (10-for-16) at the line.
 
The Ospreys jumped out to a 6-1 lead, but FGCU scored the next five points. Both programs went on separate 5-0 runs to keep the score even at 11-11 seven minutes into the contest. From that point on, the two teams juggled the lead back and forth until a 12-0 run put the home side on top 39-29. The Eagles were able to pull five points back before intermission and trailed just 39-34 at halftime.
 
FGCU stayed close and was down just 46-43 five minutes into the second stanza, but a 14-2 run from UNF allowed the home team to create enough separation to close out the contest. The Eagles were unable to chip the deficit back into single digits.
 
UP NEXT
FGCU will wrap up a three-game road stretch against Kennesaw State at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
 
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:
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.
 
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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