FORT MYERS, Fla. – After earning its first ASUN win of the season in dominant fashion, 72-55 over North Alabama, Florida Gulf Coast men's basketball (7-8, 1-1 ASUN) is set to begin a four game homestand against Austin Peay (8-5, 2-0 ASUN) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.

The last time out, the Eagles improved to 7-8 behind their sixth 15-plus point win of the 2025-26 season. In those wins, FGCU led for 37+ minutes in three of the four Division I contests (113:39 of 120 minutes spent leading in those three wins).

The Eagles' rebound margin was double digits in all but one of the seven wins; FGCU's lowest rebounding margin in a win was +7 over Rice, and the season high was +31 against Fort Lauderdale.

Even without FGCU's two non-Division I wins, the Eagles ran roughshod through the ASUN-SoCon Challenge, dominating the reigning NIT champion in Chattanooga and earning a quality road win at SoCon mainstay Samford. The win over Rice was the lone comeback of the group, as FGCU trailed at halftime before sending the game to overtime and dominating the extra five minutes to win by 15. 

Against North Alabama, Barno led FGCU with 14 points and five assists. Ellerbee scored 13 points and was a team-best plus-22 in his 22:57 on the floor. The Eagles led wire-to-wire over the Lions. FGCU's defense and rebounding put on a first half clinic, allowing just 25.9% shooting from the field and zero offensive rebounds to North Alabama. 

The Lions cut the lead to five points at the free throw line with eight minutes to play before the FGCU defense clamped down once again. North Alabama did not make a field goal for a nine minute stretch, and saw Ellerbee score eight points during an extended 19-4 FGCU run to put the game away. The true freshman is shooting 50% from 3-point range when he comes off the bench.

Austin Peay has four scorers averaging double-digits: Collin Parker averages 15.8, Zyree Collins scores 13.5, Rashaud Marshall averages 12.0 and Tate McCubbin scores 11.7 points per game. Parker and Marshall each grab 6.0 rebounds per game, and Collins tallies 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Marshall also blocks 1.1 shots per game.

The Governors are 8-5 in 2025-26 behind a 6-0 mark at home, highlighted by wins over Air Force, Northern Illinois and ETSU. Austin Peay's offense roared with a 102-83 win over North Florida before the Govs knocked off JU 71-68 to move to 2-0 in the ASUN. 

FGCU and Austin Peay have never won a road game against the other team. FGCU is 2-0 at Alico Arena, Austin Peay is 2-0 in Clarksville. Austin Peay holds a 3-2 series lead due to a 2007 win over FGCU at South Padre Island. The Governors won the most recent matchup, 73-60, at home in 2025. In the last matchup between the two squads, McCubbin scored 15 on five made 3-pointers. Stewart scored 7 in 19 minutes for FGCU.

Tickets are on sale now for ASUN action at https://fgcuathletics.evenue.net/list/FGCU. 

For more information on FGCU men's basketball, follow @FGCU_MBB on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit fgcuathletics.com.