Eagles headed for Texas showdown

After falling to No. 2 Michigan State 97-58 last Friday the FGCU men's basketball team will face competition closer to their level when they travel to Texas this week.

On the 19th the team will face Prairie View A&M in an 8 PM tipoff, then face Southern Methodist on Nov. 21 in Dallas.

FGCU had trouble keeping up with the Spartans in Michigan last week.

Anthony Banks led the Eagles with 10 points and was the only player in double figures.

Reed Baker scored nine points but was just 2-10 from the field, while Derrick O'Neil had a decent line with seven points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 17 minutes.

The men held a 17-16 lead midway in the first half before falling behind after Michigan State's offense began rolling.

The Spartans pulled away 81-41 after that point and dominated the Eagles on the fast break and in the rebounding battle, which they won 54-34.

As for upcoming opponents, the Prairie View Panthers defeated Schreiner Mountain 91-47 on Nov. 14 in their first game of the season.

Senior forward Darnell Hugee led the team with 20 points and five rebounds while shooting 80% from the field.

Point guard Christopher Jones scored just five points but dished out 12 assists and will be the primary focus of FGCU's Baker and Reggie Chambers defensively.

The Southern Methodist Mustangs, who play in the Conference USA, lost to the University of South Florida 67-61 on Nov. 13 in their season opener.

The Mustangs led 32-29 at halftime but gave up 38 second half points and let the Bulls slip out of reach.

Guard Derek Williams led the team with 19 points and forward Mouhammad Faye added 12 points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks.

FGCU's George Erkvania is likely out for the season with a torn ACL which he suffered last week in practice.

The Eagles will face Miami University in Coral Gables on Nov. 25 before their home opener Tursday, Dec. 1 vs. Bethune-Cookman.