NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT men's basketball team suffered a 55-39 setback to visiting Florida Gulf Coast in ASUN Conference on Saturday at the Wellness and Events Center.

NJIT struggled to find offensive rhythm all game, shooting 25.5% (14-for-55). The Eagles used a 15-0 run midway through the first half to take a comfortable lead and stayed in front for the final 30 minutes of the contest.

FGCU led 10-4 early, but an 11-0 run put the hosts in front until the aforementioned 15-0 run by the Eagles gave them the lead.

By halftime, FCGU led 35-24, but the Highlanders were able to hang in the contest for most of the second half until another late Eagles' run led to the 16-point final margin.

Zach Cooks scored a game-high 18 points to lead NJIT, but no other Highlander scored more than six points in Saturday's loss. Souleymane Diakite pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, although the Highlanders were out-rebounded 42-33.

Caleb Catto led three Eagles in double figures with 13 points.

Prior to the game, senior Shyquan Gibbs and graduate student Reilly Walsh were honored as part of the program's annual Senior Day. Both players have served as team captains for two seasons and left their mark on the program both on the court and in this classroom as each has been named to the ASUN's All-Academic Team and has atleast one CoSIDA Academic All-District honor. 

NJIT will look to get back in the win column on Thursday when it travels to North Alabama for another ASUN Conference game.