FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team used a 37-5 run in the second half, landing a 79-52 A-Sun victory over Kennesaw State Thursday night at Alico Arena.
The Eagles (13-4, 8-1 A-Sun) trailed 37-32 with 18:30 remaining, before holding Kennesaw (5-13, 2-7 A-Sun) to just five points over the next 11:42. During the run FGCU's offense exploded scoring 37 points (69-42).
Senior forward Adrianne McNally (Howell, Mich.) dished seven assists and grabbed six boards and scored a game-high 18 points, while junior guard Shannon Murphy (Brighton, Mich.) chipped in with 17 points and a game-high nine assists of her own off the bench.
With this win the Eagles retain sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Sun, leading East Tennessee State by half a game.
“I think we were eager to get out and play again,” FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. “We made more defensive plays (during the second half run). Their shots weren't quite as easy… that made all the difference.”
The Owls shot 5-of-10 (50-percent) from 3-point range in the first half compared to FGCU's 1-of-6 (16.7-percent).
The Eagles three-point percentage drastically changed in the second half as sophomore guard Kelsey Jacobson (Barnesville, Minn.) drilled three consecutive 3-pointers to highlight FGCU's 37-5 run.
The Blue and Green outscored Kennesaw State 49-21 in the second after trailing by one point at halftime. The Eagles were 7-for-15 (46.7-percent) from beyond the 3-point arc in the game's final 20 minutes while the Owls shot 3-for-11 (27.3-percent).
Jacobson ended the game with 12 points while Eglah Griffin (Fort Myers, Fla.) finished with 11. Sophomore guard Courtney Chihil (Tipp City, Oh.) tallied 10 points.
The Blue and Green shot 55.8-percent (29-of-52) from the field for the contest, compared to Kennesaw State's 35.6-percent (21-of-59).
The Eagles are back in action this Saturday when they host third place Mercer University (10-8, 7-2 A-Sun) for “Take A Kid To The Game Day.” Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Alico Arena.
