Dunk City vs FAU Recap

The FGCU men's basketball team (2-6) dropped an 85-68 decision to Florida Atlantic Sunday afternoon inside FAU Arena. The Eagles fell for the fourth game in a row, while the Owls improved to 6-1 on the campaign.

Senior Haanif Cheatham led FGCU with a 20-point effort on the strength of a 7-for-11 shooting performance. Fellow seniors Schadrac Casimir and Dinero Mercurius both chipped in 15 points.

FGCU finished with a 45.1 clip (23-for-51) from the field, while shooting 36.4 percent (8-for-22) from distance and 77.8 percent (14-for-18) at the free-throw line.

Xavian Stapleton poured in six 3-point baskets and finished with a career-high 27 points. Jailyn Ingram had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaylen Sebree registered 12 points off the bench.

FAU shot 48.5 percent (32-for-66) from the field, 33.3 percent (11-for-33) from behind the 3-point arc and 58.8 percent (10-for-17) at the free-throw line.

The Eagles were able to play to an 8-7 advantage four minutes into the game, but a 20-4 run over the next seven minutes would be enough for the Owls to gain a 27-12 edge. FGCU cut the deficit down to 11 with five minutes remaining in the opening half, but another spurt from the home team gave FAU a 48-29 halftime lead.

The Eagles fought back to within 63-53 at the midway point of the second half, but the Owls would not allow FGCU to get the deficit inside double digits. FAU stretched its lead back out to 20 before settling for the final 17-point margin.

Up Next:
The Eagles will return home for the first of four Whiteout games scheduled for this season. They will play host to Florida International at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28. The contest will be the second of a doubleheader with the women's team, who will face Houston at 5 p.m.