By Chase Henry
Staff Writer
The FGCU men’s basketball team (2-10) is now on a five-game losing streak after a 64-59 loss to Robert Morris University (3-8), Saturday night.
“I was proud of our guys because I thought we competed tonight,” said head coach Michael Fly. “We got better tonight. Unfortunately we didn’t come out ahead on the scoreboard. We have been really struggling with turnovers, and we came out with 17 assists compared to 12 turnovers, which is tremendous. They made a couple plays down the stretch we didn’t make.”
After a back-and-forth opening ten minutes, where both teams couldn’t establish themselves and only managing to get a five-point advantage, Robert Morris used a 7-2 run late in the half to give Robert Morris a 28-21 lead over FGCU at the break.
At the half, Zach Scott led FGCU scoring with six points, while Jalen Warren chipped in with five points.
Robert Morris continued their hot scoring to start the second half, as they built up their lead to 11 points. The lead didn’t last long though, as the Eagles came roaring back and cut the lead down to one with 11:37 left to play.
The Eagles’ run was capped off by an old-school three-point play from Justus Rainwater after he made his free throw opportunity while shooting a layup.
Both teams continued to keep the score close to even as the second half wore on, and eventually, the game was tied at 58 with 1:34 to play after Jalen Warren drove to the basket and scored in the paint.
The Colonials ended closing out the game scoring six points off free throws, compared to FGCU converting one free throw, giving them the 64-59 win.
Overall Scott finished as FGCU’s leading scorer with 14 points, and Warren contributed an additional 12 points.
“We’re all frustrated,” Fly said. “I’m frustrated. Our guys are frustrated. I know the fans are frustrated because we want to win games, but it’s important that we get better and take steps forward, and I thought we took a step forward tonight.”
Following the loss, the team gets a break before traveling to South Dakota State University to take on the Jackrabbits on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 8 p.m.