FGCU MBB @ NJIT Recap

The FGCU men's basketball team (8-15, 3-5 ASUN) dropped a tough 66-54 decision to NJIT (18-5, 6-2 ASUN) Wednesday night inside NJIT Wellness and Events Center.

The Eagles were led by a career performance from sophomore Troy Baxter Jr. went 8-for-16 from the field and tallied career highs in both points (21) and made 3-pointers (4). Senior Schadrac Casimir contributed seven points, seven rebounds and four assists, and junior Christian Carlyle finished 4-for-6 with eight points.

"I thought (NJIT) was better than us. They played with more energy, and I thought our lack of bodies bothered our legs tonight," FGCU coach Michael Fly said. "Credit goes to NJIT for being the better team in this one. We'll get back to Fort Myers, prepare for Jacksonville and continue to get better daily."

FGCU shot 48.9 percent (23-for-47) from the field, 29.2 percent (7-for-24) from behind the 3-point line and 25 percent (1-for-4) at the free-throw line. The Highlanders shot 44.6 percent (25-for-56) overall, 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from distance and 52.9 percent (9-for-17) at the stripe.

Zach Cooks led NJIT with 17 points, and San Antonio Brinson contributed 13.

Baxter Jr. connected on three 3-pointers early to give the Green and Blue an early 9-4 advantage, but both offenses were fairly stagnant in the opening half. The Highlanders held FGCU in check and gained a 23-16 lead with six minutes to play. They were able to remain on top and take a 30-26 lead into the halftime break.

The Eagles cut NJIT's advantage down to three early in the second stanza and had multiple chances to tie the contest, but they struggled to score as the home team slowly built a 50-39 lead midway through the period. FGCU locked down defensively but was unable to get into a rhythm on the other end as the Highlanders were able to fend off the visitors. NJIT's Donovan Greer hit a jumper at 6:09 to put his side on top 56-46, and team kept the lead in double figures the rest of the way.

The home team led in rebounding (35-26) and steals (9-6), but FGCU paced the evening in assists (13-7) and blocks (4-0).

Up Next:
The Eagles return home for a meeting with Jacksonville at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 in Alico Arena. The promotion will be a Blueout and will be a doubleheader with the FGCU women.