The FGCU men's basketball team (13-17, 8-7 A-SUN) remained hot at home in a 78-56 victory over Kennesaw State (5-24, 2-12 A-SUN) Saturday night in Alico Arena.
The Eagles continued to own the longest home win streak in the A-SUN Conference, and they stretched that mark to seven in a row. They were also celebrating Senior Night, and the four seniors and three graduating senior managers were all honored prior to tip.
One senior recognized was Dolan Mahoney. The four-year Eagle was rewarded with the first start of his career, and he celebrated in style by knocking down a 3-point basket for the first points of the game for the Green and Blue.
"I'm so proud of our guys, and I'm happy for Dinero (Mercurius), Schadrac (Casimir) and Dolan (Mahoney) especially," FGCU coach Michael Fly said. "I told these guys that if they stay locked in and focused that this will not be the last game they play in (Alico Arena). We're happy about the win obviously and happy we got a win on Senior Night. But we want to make sure we stay locked in and prepare for Jacksonville."
Once Mahoney made his electric exit, the rest of the Eagles went to work. Six different members of the home side chipped in for the first 14 points, and the Green and Blue quickly found a 22-9 advantage. KSU knocked down a jumper at the 8:16 mark to pull within eight at 22-14, but FGCU erupted on a 20-1 run across the next seven minutes to seemingly put the game out of reach.
The Eagles led 42-20 at halftime and stretched their advantage to as many as 32 points in the second half. KSU was never able to get closer than the final 22-point margin the rest of the way.
Also honored on Senior Night were Dinero Mercurius, Schadrac Casimir and Ricky Doyle. Doyle ended his career due to injury earlier this season, but Mercurius (14 points) scored in double figures for the seventh-straight game. Casimir ended his own streak of scoring in double figures at six, but he stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, six assists, five steals and two rebounds.
True freshman Zach Scott had a game-high 16 points, and junior Christian Carlyle and sophomore Troy Baxter Jr. both chipped in 12. In total, 10 different Eagles got their name in the scoring book.
FGCU shot 47.6 percent (30-for-63) from the field, 34.3 percent (12-for-35) from behind the 3-point line and 66.7 percent (6-for-9) at the free-throw line. Kennesaw State shot 29.2 percent (19-for-65) overall, 29.4 percent (5-for-17) from distance and 68.4 percent (13-for-19) at the charity stripe.
The Eagles led the night in rebounding (42-41), assists (22-9), blocks (7-5), steals (11-10), points in the paint (34-22, fast-break points (10-6), and bench production (37-13).
Bryson Lockley finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Owls. Danny Lewis added 13 points, and Tyler Hooker chipped in 11.
Up Next:
FGCU hits the road for the final game of the regular season in a 7 p.m. tilt March 1 against Jacksonville. The rare Friday bout will be contested inside Historic Swisher Gymnasium in Jacksonville, Florida.
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