FORT MYERS, Fla. - Florida Gulf Coast University's men's basketball team has made the sojourn to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands where it will play three games at the Paradise Jam, beginning with a Friday night contest against Missouri State University. Tip-off in the last game of the day is set for 8 p.m. EST (9 p.m. AST) and will be available via ESPN+.

The Eagles (1-2) have never faced Missouri State on the basketball court. FGCU last played at the University of Pittsburgh Monday night, falling 86-74 to the Panthers. Five players scored in double-figures that night for the Eagles, led by Keeshawn Kellman's 14.

Bench points have played a large factor for the Eagles this season. At Pitt, the Eagles got 27 points from reserves, compared to just 16 for the Panthers. In the home win over Ave Maria, FGCU picked up 34 of its 80 points from the bench. At Indiana, the reserves for FGCU outscored the Hoosiers bench 22-7.

Out of the Missouri Valley Conference, MSU is 1-1 on the season with a loss at West Virginia and a win at home over Oral Roberts.