KENNESAW, Ga. – The FGCU men's basketball team (6-13, 1-3 ASUN) picked up its first ASUN Conference victory of the season with a 72-59 win over Kennesaw State (3-16, 0-4 ASUN) Saturday evening at KSU Convocation Center.
 
The Eagles were led by a monster performance from senior Schadrac Casimir, who finished with season highs in scoring (34), rebounding (7) and free throws (10-for-10). He knocked down six 3-point field goals and finished 9-for-15 from the field to record the second-highest point total by any ASUN player this season.
 
True freshman Zach Scott added 10 points for FGCU, all coming in the second half.

"I'm really proud of the effort our guys showed on the road in a week where we lost both RaySean (Scott Jr.) and Brady (Ernst)," FGCU coach Michael Fly said. "We had a great few days of practice leading up to tonight. I thought our players did a great job of locking in on our game plan and making plays when we needed them. We're always excited to get a win, but we know it's time to refocus quickly to prepare for Stetson."
 
The Green and Blue shot 42.4 percent (25-for-59) overall, 30 percent (9-for-30) from behind the 3-point line and 76.5 percent (13-for-17) at the free-throw line. KSU shot just 35.8 percent (19-for-53) overall, 33.3 percent (5-for-15) from deep range and 76.2 percent (16-for-21) at the charity stripe.
 
FGCU led the way in assists (12-10), fewer turnovers (13-15), blocks (6-1), steals (7-6), points in the paint (33-19), points off turnovers (13-11), second-chance points (6-3), fast-break points (9-7), and bench production (17-10).
 
Tyler Hooker entered the game leading the ASUN in scoring at 19 points per game, but he was held to just 13. Danny Lewis led the Owls with 16, while Bobby Parker added 12.
 
FGCU scored the first eight points of the game and never allowed KSU to get closer than five. The Eagles initially found a 21-6 advantage but allowed the Owls to use an 8-0 run to pull within seven at the midway point of the opening frame. A quick 6-0 run by Casimir extended FGCU's lead back out to 13, and the visitors maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the first half. Sophomore Brian Thomas converted a put-back layup at the buzzer to give the Eagles a 40-28 cushion at the break. The 12-point halftime lead was the second-largest of the season and the most since the team entered the locker room up 14 over UMBC on Dec. 16.
 
Scott came out on fire in the second half, scoring the first seven points for the Eagles to help the visitors extend their lead to 21 points. They maintained that advantage all the way until KSU used a 7-0 run to get within 63-55 at the 4:32 mark. Casimir ended any comeback threat, however, by icing the game with seven points down the stretch.
 
UP NEXT
After a three-game road swing that will have spanned 16 days, the Green and Blue return home for a Jan. 21 clash with Stetson. The Eagles and Hatters will lock up at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Pinkout game, which will also double as the Coaches vs. Cancer contest. The FGCU staff will wear sneakers to help raise awareness.
 
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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