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KENNESAW, Ga. – Redshirt freshman Danny Lewis had a career night as the Kennesaw State men's basketball team saw their late rally come up just short, falling to FGCU 72-59 Saturday evening.
 
Lewis set career marks with seven assists and six rebounds while scoring 16 points, just one-point shy of his career-high.
 
How it happened: The Eagles (6-13, 1-3) jumped out to an early lead behind a hot-shooting Schadrac Casimir who went 4-of-4 from three-point range in the opening minutes to give FGCU a 17-6 lead. FGCU extended its lead to 21-6 behind a 7-0 run before Tyler Hooker sparked an 8-0 run for KSU (3-16, 0-4) to pull within 10, 21-14, with just under 10 minutes to play.
 
FGCU pushed its lead back to double-digits, 32-18, behind a 9-2 run, capped off by another three-pointer at the 5:10 mark. The two squads proceeded to trade buckets for the rest of the half, with a last second layup giving FGCU a 40-28 lead at the break.
 
At the half, FGCU's Casimir led all scorers with 23 points, going 5-of-7 from three-point range.
 
After knocking down a three-pointer to open the second half, the Eagles pushed their lead to as high as 21 points, 54-33, following a 5-0 run. After trading buckets, the Owls pulled themselves back into it as Hooker drained a three-pointer to spark a 13-0 run to make it 63-55 with 4:32 left in the game.
 
Lewis netted seven points during the Owls' run, recording 12 of his 16 points in the second half. That was as close as KSU would get though as the Owls went without a bucket for the final four minutes of the game, scoring their final four points from the free throw line.
 
Notes: Danny Lewis' 16 points marks his fourth game this year in double-figures … Tyler Hooker kept his double-digit streak alive recording 13 points for his 17th straight game in double-figures … Bobby Parker was the third Owl in double-figures, logging 12 points for his fifth game this season with 10 or more points … Bryson Lockley led the way with nine rebounds … The Owls went 16-of-21 from the free throw line, marking their fifth straight game with 10 or more made free throws and third straight game shooting 70 percent or better from the line … With its six steals against FGCU, KSU has now recorded six or more swipes in four straight games … KSU got back on the plus-side on the boards, outrebounding FGCU 37-34.
 
Quotes: Head Coach Al Skinner
On the team's ball distribution…
"At times we [distributed it well], and that is part of the things that we have to overcome. We have to do it a little more consistently. I thought we were a little inconsistent with our offense. Hopefully as we get a better feel moving forward, we'll handle the ball better and if we do that, it will help us tremendously. But that's something that we have to continue to work on."
 
On the defensive play…
"The defensive end is going to be really important for us, and again, it's the inconsistencies that we have. We played well defensively for a period of time and then we'd give up a couple of easy opportunities. Those things have to improve and with a young team, unfortunately, this is what happens. As the season goes along, we will continue to get better in that area."
 
Up next: The Owls have a quick turnaround as they travel to Lipscomb to take on the Bisons Monday at 6:30 p.m. EST.