FORT MYERS, Fla. – After a record-setting first half where the Eagles allowed just seven points, the FGCU men's basketball team cruised to a 73-51 win over Kennesaw State at Alico Arena on Thursday night. The win was the third in the last four outings for the Eagles (6-14, 3-2 ASUN) and the second straight.
 
The seven points allowed in the first half were a program record and the fewest allowed in the first half of an NCAA Division I game this year. The Owls (1-16, 0-4 ASUN) were just 1-of-25 from the floor which nearly matched the NCAA record for lowest field goal percentage in the shot clock era which was set by Northern Illinois (1-of-31, 3.2%) on Jan. 26, 2013. The one made field goal tied the NCAA record for fewest made alongside NIU and Savannah State (at Kansas State, 2008). Overall the NCAA record for fewest points (since 1986 according to the NCAA record book) in a first half of a Division I game was 5 by California against Notre Dame on Nov. 26, 2010. In the NIU/EMU game, the Huskies were held to just four points, while Eastern Michigan also managed just four points in 2018 against Rutgers.

"We're happy to get the win tonight and to continue to see progression over the last few weeks," said head coach Michael Fly. "Now we have to turn our focus to a very quick turnaround as we face a very good North Alabama team. KSU is obviously in a rebuilding mode with some young guys who are still figuring out their chemistry - somewhat similar to some of the struggles we've faced.I thought our defense did a good job overall, but part of it was KSU just missed some shots and had some good looks just not go in."
 
The Eagles carried a 34-7 lead into halftime with Kennesaw State's only field goal coming on a three-pointer by Jamie Lewis at the 8:42 mark of the opening stanza. FGCU had scored nine straight before that and then finished the half on an 18-to-4 run.
 
The lead grew to as many as 39, 60-21, midway through the second half after a free throw by junior Sam Gagliardi (Gig Harbor, Wash.). The Owls were able to cut into the lead as the Eagles began to mix-and-match line-ups. KSU strung together a 17-to-3 run to cut the deficit to 63-37 with 5:56 remaining in the game.
 
FGCU was led by 11 points from sophomores Caleb Catto (Cape Coral, Fla.) and Zach Scott (Miami, Fla.) in what was a balanced overall offensive effort. Junior Jalen Warren (Milton, Ontario) had a game-high 11 rebounds with nine points and five assists. Junior Justus Rainwater (Enumclaw, Wash.) and Cyrus Largie (Miramar, Fla.) each added nine points.
 
Lewis led all scorers with 20 points for the Owls, while Tyler Hooker was the only other KSU player in double figures.
 
The Eagles finished the game shooting 45.3 percent (29-of-64), while Kennesaw State hit 14-of-67 (20.9%). The 20.9 percent shooting percentage was also a record low allowed by FGCU. The previous best field goal defense mark was 22.7 percent by East Tennessee State on Feb. 7, 2013.
 
FGCU also held a 53-to-39 advantage in rebounding which was the second time this season to break the 50-rebound plateau.
 
Following tonight's action, the Eagles return to action with a road trip this Saturday afternoon at North Alabama as part of a double-header with the women's team. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
For complete coverage of FGCU men's basketball, follow the Eagles on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FGCU_MBB and online at www.FGCUAthletics.com. You can also sign-up to have news on FGCU men's basketball and other programs delivered directly to your inbox by visiting www.fgcuathletics.com/email.



BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
FGCU basketball tickets for the 2019-20 season are on sale now including single-game tickets and the popular mini-plan options. For more information, contact an FGCU Ticket Office representative by calling 239-590-7145, visiting Alico Arena Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or by visiting www.FGCUAthletics.com/Tickets. 

E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
 
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 his time with the Eagles, he helped FGCU to a 161-101 record (.618 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 16. He has coached 13 all-conference selections while with the Green and Blue, including two ASUN Player of the Year honors in Sherwood Brown and Brandon Goodwin, two ASUN Defensive Player of the Year selections in Bernard Thompson and Demetris Morant and one ASUN Newcomer of the Year in Schadrac Casimir. 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).
 
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April 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 80 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 13 seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just nine seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 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 soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as two of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty consecutive semesters.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
 
--FGCUATHLETICS.COM--