NEWARK, N.J. – The FGCU men's basketball team (8-15, 3-5 ASUN) dropped a tough 66-54 decision to NJIT (18-5, 6-2 ASUN) Wednesday night inside NJIT Wellness and Events Center.
 
The Eagles were led by a career performance from Troy Baxter Jr., as the sophomore went 8-for-16 from the field and tallied career highs in both points (21) and made 3-pointers (4). Senior Schadrac Casimir contributed seven points, seven rebounds and four assists, and junior Christian Carlyle finished 4-for-6 with eight points.

"I thought (NJIT) was better than us. They played with more energy, and I thought our lack of bodies bothered our legs tonight," FGCU coach Michael Fly said. "Credit goes to NJIT for being the better team in this one. We'll get back to Fort Myers, prepare for Jacksonville and continue to get better daily."
 
FGCU shot 48.9 percent (23-for-47) from the field, 29.2 percent (7-for-24) from behind the 3-point line and 25 percent (1-for-4) at the free-throw line. The Highlanders shot 44.6 percent (25-for-56) overall, 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from distance and 52.9 percent (9-for-17) at the stripe.
 
Zach Cooks led NJIT with 17 points, and San Antonio Brinson contributed 13.
 
Baxter Jr. connected on three 3-pointers early to give the Green and Blue an early 9-4 advantage, but both offenses were fairly stagnant in the opening half. The Highlanders held FGCU in check and gained a 23-16 lead with six minutes to play. They were able to remain on top and take a 30-26 lead into the halftime break.
 
The Eagles cut NJIT's advantage down to three early in the second stanza and had multiple chances to tie the contest, but they struggled to score as the home team slowly built a 50-39 lead midway through the period. FGCU locked down defensively but was unable to get into a rhythm on the other end as the Highlanders were able to fend off the visitors. NJIT's Donovan Greer hit a jumper at 6:09 to put his side on top 56-46, and team kept the lead in double figures the rest of the way.
 
The home team led in rebounding (35-26) and steals (9-6), but FGCU paced the evening in assists (13-7) and blocks (4-0).
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles return home for a meeting with Jacksonville at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 in Alico Arena. The promotion will be a Blueout and will be a doubleheader with the FGCU women.  
 
LACES OF LOVE
FGCU product, World Series Champion and current Boston Red Sox staff ace Chris Sale and his wife, Brianne, have once again partnered with local charity Laces of Love. New shoes/sneakers will be accepted upon entry to Alico Arena at the Feb. 2 doubleheader against Jacksonville and will be given to children in need in Lee and Collier Counties.
 
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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