NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The FGCU men's basketball team (7-14, 2-4 ASUN) suffered a close 89-81 setback to ASUN Conference favorite Lipscomb (15-4, 6-0 ASUN) Thursday night in Allen Arena.
 
The Bisons had won their previous four games by an average of 21.5 points per game and had yet to yield 80 points to any ASUN opponent this season.

"I am super proud of our effort tonight. That was as good of a competitive effort as we've had all year," FGCU coach Michael Fly said. "We respect the heck out of that team. (Lipscomb) threw in some 3-point shots late on a ball-fake and with multiple hands in their faces. I told our guys that if you can play like that against the league favorite on the road, then you can play with anybody. To be honest, I'm as encouraged as I've been after any game this year."
 
Senior Dinero Mercurius led the Eagles with 17 points off the bench, reaching double figures for the first time in conference play. Classmate Schadrac Casimir poured in his usual 14, while sophomore Troy Baxter Jr. had 10, all in the second half.
 
The Eagles hung with the reigning champs and league-leading Bisons for all 40 minutes, and even held a lead with less than three minutes to play. The home side was able to hang on in the end, using a late 14-2 run to avoid the upset bid.
 
FGCU actually outshot Lipscomb, finishing 28-for-59 (47.5 percent) from the field. The visitors also shot 44.4 percent (12-for-27) from behind the 3-point line and 65 percent (13-for-20) at the free-throw line. The Bisons shot just 44.6 percent (29-for-65) overall, 44.8 percent (13-for-29) from deep and 78.3 percent (18-for-23) from the charity stripe.
 
ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Garrison Mathews scored 31 with 10 rebounds to counter six turnovers, while Michael Buckland and Matt Rose each added 11.
 
The Bisons scored the first five points of the game and enjoyed an initial 8-2 advantage, but a 10-0 run gave FGCU a 12-8 lead. Lipscomb quickly erased the deficit and found its rhythm to move on top 24-15, and the team continued to stay ahead 42-28 with two minutes left in the opening frame. The Eagles stayed within striking distance, however, by scoring seven unanswered to trail just 42-35 at the break.
 
FGCU never backed down and took its first lead of the second half at 56-55 at the under-12 media timeout. The lead changed hands 10 times total in the second half, with the final swing of momentum coming at the critical moment when the Bisons were able to pull away late.
 
FGCU forced 18 Lipscomb turnovers and also led in blocks (7-0), steals (6-5), fast-break points (8-2) and bench production (32-27).
 
UP NEXT
FGCU returns home for a contest against North Florida at 5 p.m. Jan. 27. The Sunday matinee will be a rematch of an earlier-season clash between the two programs in Jacksonville, Florida, that saw the Ospreys knock off the Eagles.
 
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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