FGCU MBB @ Kennesaw Preview

The FGCU men's basketball team (5-13, 0-3 A-SUN) wrap up their three game road trip as they travel to Kennesaw, Georgia to face Kennesaw State (3-15, 0-3 A-SUN) on Saturday, January 19 at 4:30 pm at the KSU Convocation Center. The game will be part of a doubleheader as Raining 3s (12-4, 3-0 A-SUN) will also play Kennesaw (5-11, 1-2 A-SUN).

Last Time Out:
The Eagles are entering the matchup on a five-game losing streak as they have dropped their first three conference games to A-SUN newcomers Liberty (81-63) and North Alabama (61-56) and UNF (87-66).

FGCU was buoyed by a personal-best effort against UNF from junior Christian Carlyle. Carlyle erupted for a career-high 21 points, while also earning new top marks in made field goals (8) and 3-point baskets (3). Carlyle is averaging 8.7 points per game.

Senior Schadrac Casimir also reached double figures, finishing with 10 points. Casimir is averaging 11.5 points per game.

True freshman Caleb Catto had a solid all-around performance that included five points, three rebounds and a season-best five steals against UNF. His five swipes were the most for an Eagle since Feb. 17 of last year (Brandon Goodwin). In addition, Cotto was named FGCU's Scholar-Athlete of the Month. Catto is averaging 2.8 points per game.

The Eagles shot 36.7 percent (22-for-60) from the field, 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from 3-point land and 62.5 percent (15-for-24) at the free-throw line. UNF shot 47.7 percent (31-for-65) overall, 48.4 percent (15-for-31) from deep and 62.5 percent (10-for-16) at the line.

Following Casimir is junior RaySean Scott Jr. Scott Jr is averaging 9.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. The Compton native did not play against UNF.

Redshirt senior Dinero Mercurius also comes into play for the Eagles. Mercurius is averaging 8.5 points per game. Mercurius came off the bench and scored seven points against UNF.

As far as defensively and rebounding, aside from Scott Jr., redshirt junior Brady Ernst and sophomore Brian Thomas have came in clutch as well.

Now being a starter for most of the season, Ernst is averaging 4.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in comparison to last season (2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game). Ernst had three points and six rebounds against UNF.

After coming back from injury, Thomas is averaging 2.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while also pulling away with 1.4 blocks per game. Thomas had a season-high five points, four rebounds and two blocks against UNF. In fact, this will be the second time Thomas will play in his hometown of Kennesaw, Georgia. The first time was on January 18, 2018 where he finished with nine points and eight rebounds.

Junior Decardo Day has also been on key as far as assist-wise. Day is averaging 6.8 points and 3.6 assists per game. Against UNF, the double transfer from Southern Utah and Iowa Western Community College had four points and six assists. Day's best game so far was against North Alabama where he dropped a career-high 20 points.

Redshirt sophomore Troy Baxter Jr. had eight points and three blocks against UNF. The UNLV transfer is averaging 6.9 points and 0.9 blocks per game.

Ernst, Thomas and Baxter Jr. make a combined blocks 39 blocks with Baxter Jr leading the way (14).

Another Eagle Down:
Already losing redshirt senior Hannif Cheatham due to a shoulder injury, the Eagles also lost redshirt senior Ricky Doyle for the rest of the season due to a congenital back issue.

"We're really frustrated for Ricky, but I told him I hope he can find some peace knowing that all he has been dealing with physically for the past few years is out of his control," Fly said. "Ricky is a great student, person and representative of our program. He will always be part of our Eagle family. I look forward to his next step and maintaining a relationship with him for years to come."

Scouting Kennesaw:
The Owls enter Saturday's game also on a five-game losing skid. The three wins this season for the program have come over Oglethorpe (NCAA DIII), Tennessee Tech and Southeastern (NAIA). The Owls have lost all three conference games so far, falling by at least 20 points to NJIT, Jacksonville and Liberty. They also have narrow setbacks to Kansas State, Missouri, Gardner-Webb and Elon.

Redshirt junior Tyler Hooker leads KSU in scoring at 18.9 points per game, and he is also third in rebounding at 4.5 rpg, redshirt junior Bryson Lockley (6.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg) is the top rebounder, and senior Kosta Jankovic (9.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg) is second in both scoring and rebounding. All three victories for KSU have come at home.

Series History:
FGCU leads the all-time series with the Owls 17-7. The 17 victories are tied for third-most for the Eagles against one opponent in school history. KSU nipped the Green and Blue 97-93 in Fort Myers last year, but before that FGCU had won 15 straight against Kennesaw State. The series began in 2008, and the two sides have met every year since then. FGCU is also 7-4 over Kennesaw State inside KSU Convocation Center.

How to Keep Up:
Livestats will be available and will air on ESPN+. The game will also be heard on Owl Radio.

Commentary will be done by play-by-play commentator Chris Mooneyham and color commentator Terrance Hill.

Fans can also keep up on Twitter:
FGCU: @FGCU_MBB

Kennesaw: @KSUOWLSMBB

ESPN+:
The A-SUN will air on the subscription-based digital platform ESPN+,  their new home. Subscribers can try the new app for free for 30 days, which follows to $4.99 a month fee afterwards or $39.99 a year.

Livestats Link: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=237662

Livestream Link: http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/31d0f1ba-0fa5-4ce1-b3fd-7375757bfde2/florida-gulf-coast-vs-kennesaw-state

Audio Link: http://ksuradio.com/

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