KEARNEY, Neb., - The FGCU women's basketball team finished the season as the national runner-up after a 61-45 loss to Southern Connecticut State.

FGCU got on the board immediately with a fast-break lay-up by Kate Schrader (Fort Collins, Col.). The Owls then went on an 8-2 run to take an 8-4 lead with 16:50 to go. The Eagles tied the score with baskets by Schrader and Steffi Sorensen (Jacksonville, Fla.). The Owls slowly started to pull away and built a 26-16 lead, the largest deficit for the Eagles during the season. Adrianne McNally (Howell, Mich.) connected on an old-fashioned three point play to pull within seven. She followed with a short jumper to cut the lead 26-21 with 3:14 remaining in the half. The Owls were able to take a 31-24 lead into halftime. SCSU shot %48.0 from the floor in the opening half while the Eagles were limited to %36.0 in the half.

The Eagles opened with a three by Alex Nelson (Edinburgh, Scotland) and followed with a layup by McNally to cut the Owls lead to 31-29. The Eagles tied the score at 42 apiece after a 5-0 run highlighted by a Sorensen three with 9:36 to play. SCSU tightened up on defense and limited FGCU to three points the remainder of the game. The Owls held the Eagles to numerous season lows including points and field goal percentage.

Schrader led the Eagles with 14 points while Nelson added 11. Sorensen chipped in seven to go with a team-high eight boards. Schrader and Sorensen were named to the All-Tournament team.

The Eagles finished their final season in Division II as the national runner-up with a school record 34 wins.