FGCU MBB vs UNF Recap

Still maintaining sole possession of first place, the FGCU men's basketball team (15-8, 6-0 A-SUN) wrapped up their final game of a three-game road trip as they clipped the wings of UNF (9-14, 2-4 A-SUN) by a score of 96-87. With the win, the Eagles not only maintained first place in conference play, but they are on a eight-game winning streak and have reached win number 300.

Before the game started, the lineup changed once again as the Eagles played without redshirt senior Brandon Goodwin, redshirt junior Ricky Doyle and sophomore RaySean Scott Jr. Goodwin and Doyle did not play or travel with the team as a coach's decision while Scott Jr is under concussion protocol.

Leading the charge offensively for the Eagles was redshirt junior Zach Johnson. Johnson led the way with 19 points (7-16 FG, 5-5 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Senior Christian Terrell had four points, three rebounds, six assists and one steal.

Redshirt junior Michael Gilmore finished with a double-double of 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-6 FT) and 11 rebounds and one block. Gilmore did get a technical foul in the second half

Redshirt junior Dinero Mercurius was the main factor from the 3-point line as the Orlando native finished with 16 points (5-7 FG, 4-5 3FG, 2-2 FT) and  three rebounds.

Off the bench, it was sophomore Christian Carlyle that provided a lot of energy off the bench. Carlyle finished with 17 points (6-10 FG, 5-5 FT), one rebound, two assists and three steals.

Redshirt sophomore Brady Ernst made a big improvement in the game as the Clinton, Iowa native had a season-high 10 points (5-6 FG), seven rebounds and three assists.

Redshirt senior Antravious Simmons had nine points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Freshman Brian Thomas had seven points, four rebounds and one block.

Freshman Darnell Rogers also contributed with one assist and one steal.

For the Ospreys, it was redshirt sophomore J.T. Escobar that led the way. Escobar finished with 28 points (10-17 FG, 6-12 3FG, 2-2 FT), one rebound and one assist before fouling out. Escobar also had a technical foul that ended with him fouling out of the game.

Sophomore Noah Horchler had a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds, along with four blocks and three steals.

Sophomore Garrett Sams had 20 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Sophomore Ivan Gandia-Rosa, the team's lead scorer, was held to eight points (2-10 FG, 2-10 3FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.

Freshman Trip Day had 13 points, three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal.

Off the Osprey bench, redshirt senior Osborn Blount had eight points, one rebound, two assists and six steals.

Freshman Emmanuel Lambright contributed with one rebound and two steals.

Freshman Ryan Burkhardt contributed with one rebound.

With the win, the Eagles are now 17-10 overall against UNF.

Up next, the Eagles return to action at home as they play UNF's crosstown rival JU on January 27 at 7 p.m.