Matchup: FGCU (14-3, 0-0 ASUN) at Stetson (9-7, 0-0 ASUN)
When: Saturday Jan. 6 at 4 p.m.
Rankings: FGCU is #1 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll
RPI: FGCU (18), Stetson (160) - as of 01/05/18
Where: Fort Myers, Fla. | Alico Arena
Game Notes: FGCU | Stetson | ASUN
Watch: ESPN3 |  David Moulton (PxP) | J. Webb Horton (Color)
Tickets: here
Live Stats: here
Series: FGCU leads 21-4
Coaches: Karl Smesko (16th season at FGCU - 418-85; 19th season overall - 479-112) | Lynn Bria (10th season at Stetson - 186-121; 23rd season overall - 339-334)
Promotions: White Out | Rally Towels | Pink Shirt Sales | Faculty Staff Appreciation

FORT MYERS, Fla. - FGCU women's basketball, the newly christened No. 1 ranked CollegeInsider.com mid-major team in the nation, will open conference play on Saturday at 4 p.m. by hosting Stetson in a clash of last year's top two teams in the ASUN.

THE GREEN AND BLUE

The Eagles, who are also the 18th ranked team in the latest RPI standings, are coming off a 14-3 non-conference slate, which signifies the fourth straight season the program has recorded at least 10 non-conference wins. This year's team set the new standard for most non-conference regular season victories - topping the 2014-15 team's 13 wins. The winning percentage (.823) was the best since that 2014-15 season (.867) and the third best in the Division-I era behind the 2010-11 team's 12-0 record.

In addition to that, FGCU has opened the season 8-0 at home. The Eagles have taken down teams such as Illinois, Kentucky, Harvard and South Dakota State in Alico Arena. Kentucky was ranked 20th in the nation at the time, and South Dakota State entered as the No. 3 team in the CollegeInsider.com mid-major poll.

Saturday's game will be the conference opener for the rivals. Stetson knocked off FGCU 67-64 in OT in Alico Arena in last year's regular season finale to claim the ASUN's regular season championship, but FGCU returned the favor on the road in the ASUN championship game with a 77-70 win to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Overall, the Eagles own a 21-4 record against the Hatters all-time.

For the Eagles, the matchup will also represent the ninth of 10 opponents on the schedule this year who made either the NCAA Tournament or WNIT last year. FGCU has a 6-2 record in those games so far with Jacksonville up after Stetson.

Furthermore, the meeting is the fifth in a seven-game home stand for FGCU, who will face NJIT next Saturday at 4 p.m. and USC Upstate the following Monday at 7 p.m. before beginning its road conference slate.

SCOUTING STETSON

Stetson (9-7) added seven newcomers to its roster this year and has been without ASUN preseason defensive player of the year Sarah Sagerer all season due to undisclosed reasons. The 6-3 forward recorded 100 blocks last year, becoming only the seventh player in ASUN history to reach that mark in a single season. She is also the reigning ASUN defensive player of the year.

Despite the absence of Sagerer so far, Stetson has plenty of firepower on its roster, and the Hatters have received heavy contribution from a pair of freshmen - 6-4 forward Megan Vincent and 5-6 guard Sydney Wagner. Vincent is averaging 3.3 points and 5.2 rebounds over 16 games, but has also recorded a team-high 25 blocks, 18 assists and 15 steals during that time. Wagner is the team's fourth leading scorer at 6.9 per contest while adding 1.9 rebounds per game. She has 14 assists and 10 steals over 16 games. Both players have won ASUN freshman of the week recognition once this year.

Outside of those two, Stetson is led offensively by a trio of players who score in double figures - Brittney Chambers, a 5-6 senior guard, Kennedi Colclough, a 6-0 sophomore forward, and McKenna Beach, a 5-6 junior guard.

Chambers averages 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. She has 23 assists and 14 steals this year, although she has turned the ball over 49 times. She leads the team in scoring, is second in rebounding and averages nearly 35 minutes per game, which is among the top three in the nation. She has either led or tied for the team high in points seven times this year, which has helped her earn ASUN player of the week recognition on Nov. 21 and Dec. 5.

Colclough comes in averaging 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds. She has 28 assists and 14 steals over 16 games, and she also has 49 turnovers. She has either led or tied for the team high in points five times this year, and she is the team's top rebounder.

Beach checks in at 12.9 points and 4.6 rebounds. She is the only player on the team with a positive assist to turnover ratio, and she has 73 assists and 22 steals over 16 contests. She leads the team in assists and minutes, and she has led the team in scoring four times this year.

Overall, Stetson has recorded 182 assists with 263 turnovers as a team. The five aforementioned players have compiled the vast majority of the team's minutes. Chambers, Colclough and Beach have started every game while the other two spots have rotated between five players.

The Hatters produce at the foul line better than any team in the ASUN as the trio of Chambers (73-for-94), Beach (60-for-70) and Colclough (44-for-54) are the top three in the conference in free throws made.

FGCU and Stetson have two opponents in common this year - Chattanooga and SIU Edwardsville. The Eagles fell to Chattanooga on the road after losing a lead late and took down SIUE at home in late December. Meanwhile, the Hatters defeated Chattanooga 78-67 at home on Nov. 15 and nipped SIUE 65-61 on the road Dec. 3.

The Hatters are coached by Lynn Bria, who is just 14 wins shy of 200 in her 10 season at Stetson. Prior head coaching stops for Bria include UCF and Ohio University.

ASUN TEAM LEADERS

Among ASUN teams, FGCU ranks first in PPG (77.3), fewest turnovers per game (12.5), assists per game (15.5), 3-point field goal percentage (35.1), 3-point field goals made (43.0) and field goals made (452). The Eagles are also second in free throws made (206) and third in steals per game (9.4), rebounds per game (36.2), free throw percentage (68.7) and defensive points per game allowed (62.6).

Stetson is the top ASUN team in blocks per game (4.7), free throw percentage (75.9), free throws made (230), defensive points per game allowed (61.9) and defensive field goal percentage (38.5). The Hatters are also second in field goal percentage (41.7) and third in fewest turnovers per game (16.4), 3-point field goal percentage (32.2), defensive 3-point field goal percentage (30.4) and field goals made (30.4).

ASUN TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS

Among FGCU players, eight players rank among the top 10 in the ASUN in individual statistical categories.

Tytionia Adderly is second in rebounding (8.6/game), tied for first in offensive rebounds (3.9/game) and fourth in steals (1.8/game). Jessica Cattani (Muskego, Wis./Muskego HS) is first in 3-point field goal percentage (46.2) and tied for eighth in 3-point field goals made (24). Taylor Gradinjan is seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (47-for-120, 39.2), 10th in points scored (173), first in 3-pointers made (47) and fifth in minutes played (509).

Erica Nelson (Kansas City, Mo./Lee Summit North HS) is sixth in minutes played (485) and eight in assists (2.8/game). Lisa Zderadicka (Vienna, Austria/HAK Korneuburg) is 10th in assists (2.5/game). China Dow (Louisville, Ky./Christian Academy of Louisville) is eighth in field goal percentage (57-for-126, 45.2), eighth in rebounding (5.6/game) and eighth in 3-point field goal percentage (18-for-46, 39.1). Nasrin Ulel is ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (33-for-85, 38.8) and field goals made (63), and she's tied with Rosemarie Julien for fourth in 3-point field goals made (33).

Julien (Port St. Lucie, Fla./Treasure Coast HS) is the player who is in the most categories with seven. The senior is second in free throw percentage (44-for-53, 83.0), tied for third in free throws made (44), third in points scored (219), tied with Ulel (Murrietta, Calif./Murrietta HS) for fourth in 3-point field goals made (33), fifth in field goals made (71), ninth in minutes played (440) and 10th in field goal percentage (33-for-104, 43.6).

For Stetson, Chambers ranks second in scoring (16.6 PPG), first in free throws made (73), first in points scored (265), seventh in rebounding (5.8/game) and tied with Colclough for second in field goals made (86). Colclough is tied for third in free throws made (44), third in points scored (219), fifth in scoring (13.7/game), second in field goal percentage (48.9), fourth in minutes played (538), fourth in free throw percentage (81.5, 44-for-54), sixth in rebounding (6.9/game) and ninth in offensive rebounding (2.2/game).

Beach, who is second in free throws made (60) to give the Hatters the top three in the conference in that category, is also first in free throw percentage (85.7), tied with Cattani for eighth in 3-point field goals made (24), second in minutes played (553), fifth in points scored (206) and first in assists (4.6/game). Wagner is fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (41.1), and Vincent is first in blocks (1.6/game).

Overall, six of the top 10 players in minutes played in the ASUN will be in Alico Arena on Saturday.

NCAA LEADERS

FGCU is ranked No. 1 in the nation in 3-point field goals attempted (581) and 3-point field goals made (204). The team is second in 3-point field goals made per game (12.0) behind DePaul's 13.1. The Eagles are among the top 30 in assists (17th, 263), free throw attempts (29th, 300), rebounds (26th, 615), steals (16th, 160), turnover margin (16th, 6.59) and fewest turnovers per game (19th, 12.5).

Among individuals, Gradinjan (Cudahy, Wis./Cudahy HS) ranks 13th in 3-point field goals attempted (120) and 15th in 3-point field goals made (47). Adderly (Jupiter, Fla./Cardinal Newman HS) ranks 20th in rebounds (146) and 24th in offensive rebounds per game (4).

Stetson, meanwhile, is ninth in free throws made (230) and 22nd in free throw percentage (75.9). Chambers is 16th in free throw attempts (94) and 12th in free throws made (12), while Beach (2nd, 576) and Chambers (3rd, 553) rank among the top three nationally in minutes played. Colclough (538) is 13th nationally in minutes played.

ASUN STANDINGS

1. FGCU - 14-3 (0-0 ASUN)
2. Jacksonville - 10-5 (0-0 ASUN)
3. Stetson - 9-7 (0-0 ASUN)
4. North Florida - 7-8 (0-0 ASUN)
5. Kennesaw State - 4-7 (0-0 ASUN)
6. USC Upstate - 5-10 (0-0 ASUN)
7. Lipscomb - 4-11 (0-0 ASUN)
8. NJIT - 2-13 (0-0 ASUN)

CHASING PROGRAM RECORDS

Career Points

  1. 1901 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2009-14

  2. 1574 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-16

  3. 1415 - Adrianne MCNALLY (128 games) - 2006-10

  4. 1312 - Kaneisha ATWATER (106 games) - 2013-16

  5. 1263 - Kelsey JACOBSON (124 games) - 2008-12

  6. 1185 - Shannon MURPHY (124 games) - 2007-11

  7. 1135 - Stephanie HAAS (139 games) - 2012-16

  8. 1067 - Taylor GRADINJAN (129 games) - 2012-present

  9. 1062 - Kate SCHRADER (65 games) - 2005-07

 10. 1016 - Courtney CHIHIL (120 games) - 2008-12

Career scoring average (minimum 40 games)

  1. 16.3 - Kate SCHRADER (65 games) - 2005-07

  2. 14.4 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2009-14

  3. 13.5 - Chelsea LYLES (62 games) - 2008-10

  4. 13.2 - Andrea CLARKE (55 games) - 2003-05

  5. 12.4 - Kaneisha ATWATER (106 games) - 2013-16

  6. 12.1 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-16

  7. 11.8 - Robyn SWAIN (57 games) - 2002-04

  8. 11.6 - Rosemarie JULIEN (52 games) - 2016-present

  9. 11.2 - Delia DE LA TORRE (61 games) - 2006-08

 10. 11.1 - Adrianne MCNALLY (128 games) - 2006-10

Career field goals made

  1. 685 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2009-14

  2. 523 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-16

  3. 498 - Adrianne MCNALLY (128 games) - 2006-10

  4. 457 - Kaneisha ATWATER (106 games) - 2013-16

  5. 413 - Stephanie HAAS (139 games) - 2012-16

  6. 402 - Shannon MURPHY (124 games) - 2007-11

  7. 385 - Kelsey JACOBSON (124 games) - 2008-12

  8. 376 - Kate SCHRADER (65 games) - 2005-07

  9. 368 - Taylor GRADINJAN (129 games) - 2012-present

 10. 327 - Candy MYERS (87 games) - 2003-06

Career field goals attempted

  1. 1366 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2009-14

  2. 1341 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-16

  3. 1084 - Adrianne MCNALLY (128 games) - 2006-10

  4. 1073 - Kaneisha ATWATER (106 games) - 2013-16

  5. 1000 - Shannon MURPHY (124 games) - 2007-11

  6. 988 - Kelsey JACOBSON (124 games) - 2008-12

  7. 945 - Stephanie HAAS (139 games) - 2012-16

  8. 918 - Taylor GRADINJAN (129 games) - 2012-present

  9. 816 - Candy MYERS (87 games) - 2003-06

 10. 727 - Courtney CHIHIL (120 games) - 2008-12

Career field goal percentage (minimum 200 made)

  1. .593 - Kate SCHRADER (376-634) - 2005-07

  2. .527 - Robyn SWAIN (259-491) - 2002-04

  3. .524 - Andrea CLARKE (264-504) - 2003-05

  4. .511 - Delia DE LA TORRE (266-521) - 2006-08

  5. .501 - Sarah HANSEN (685-1366) - 2009-14

  6. .493 - Trish FLEMING (206-418) - 2002-03

  7. .461 - Rosemarie JULIEN (211-458) - 2016-present

  8. .459 - Adrianne MCNALLY (498-1084) - 2006-10

  9. .448 - Courtney CHIHIL (326-727) - 2008-12

 10. .441 - Noreen MCCALLUM (213-483) - 2002-04

Career 3-point field goals made

  1. 330 - Kelsey JACOBSON (124 games) - 2008-12

  2. 294 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-16

  3. 258 - Taylor GRADINJAN (129 games) - 2012-present

  4. 219 - Shannon MURPHY (124 games) - 2007-11

  5. 212 - Candy MYERS (87 games) - 2003-06

  6. 171 - Eglah GRIFFIN (95 games) - 2009-12

  7. 133 - Jen CONELY (66 games) - 2005-07

  8. 123 - Haley LAUGHTER (90 games) - 2013-17

  9. 122 - Courtney CHIHIL (120 games) - 2008-12

 10. 115 - Megan JONES (86 games) - 2002-05

Career 3-point field goals attempted

  1. 846 - Kelsey JACOBSON (124 games) - 2008-12

  2. 791 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-16

  3. 694 - Taylor GRADINJAN (129 games) - 2012-present

  4. 597 - Shannon MURPHY (124 games) - 2007-11

  5. 556 - Candy MYERS (87 games) - 2003-06

  6. 418 - Eglah GRIFFIN (95 games) - 2009-12

  7. 382 - Kaneisha ATWATER (106 games) - 2013-16

  8. 375 - Megan JONES (86 games) - 2002-05

  9. 360 - Stephanie HAAS (139 games) - 2012-16

 10. 355 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2009-14

Career 3-point FG percentage (minimum 100 made)

  1. .420 - Jen CONELY (133-317) - 2005-07

  2. .409 - Eglah GRIFFIN (171-418) - 2009-12

  3. .398 - Steffi SORENSEN (105-264) - 2006-07

  4. .390 - Kelsey JACOBSON (330-846) - 2008-12

  5. .381 - Candy MYERS (212-556) - 2003-06

  6. .378 - Haley LAUGHTER (123-325) - 2013-17

  7. .378 - Courtney CHIHIL (122-323) - 2008-12

  8. .372 - Taylor GRADINJAN (258-694) - 2012-present

  9. .372 - Whitney KNIGHT (294-791) - 2011-16

 10. .367 - Shannon MURPHY (219-597) - 2007-11

Career free throw percentage (minimum 100 made)

  1. .819 - Kelsey JACOBSON (163-199) - 2008-12

  2. .806 - Rosemarie JULIEN (100-124) - 2016-present

  3. .772 - Whitney KNIGHT (234-303) - 2011-16

  4. .772 - Sarah HANSEN (417-540) - 2009-14

  5. .769 - Chelsea LYLES (180-234) - 2008-10

  6. .768 - Kate SCHRADER (295-384) - 2005-07

  7. .766 - Courtney CHIHIL (242-316) - 2008-12

  8. .753 - Shannon MURPHY (162-215) - 2007-11

  9. .753 - Brittany KENNEDY (110-146) - 2011-13

      .753 - Chelsea DERMYER (110-146) - 2005-08

Career rebounds

  1. 887 - Sarah HANSEN (329o-558d) - 2009-14

  2. 735 - Whitney KNIGHT (114o-621d) - 2011-16

  3. 658 - Adrianne MCNALLY (240o-418d) - 2006-10

  4. 640 - Robyn SWAIN (236o-404d) - 2002-04

  5. 603 - Courtney CHIHIL (183o-420d) - 2008-12

  6. 508 - Kaneisha ATWATER (186o-322d) - 2013-16

  7. 433 - Taylor GRADINJAN (106o-327d) - 2012-present

  8. 422 - Katie MEADOR (193o-229d) - 2012-16

  9. 409 - Kate SCHRADER (194o-215d) - 2005-07

 10. 401 - Tytionia ADDERLY (161o-240d) - 2016-present

Career rebounding average (minimum 40 games)

  1. 11.2 - Robyn SWAIN (57 games) - 2002-04

  2. 8.0 - Tytionia ADDERLY (50 games) - 2016-present

  3. 6.7 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2009-14

  4. 6.3 - Kate SCHRADER (65 games) - 2005-07

  5. 5.8 - Andrea CLARKE (55 games) - 2003-05

  6. 5.7 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-16

  7. 5.6 - Delia DE LA TORRE (61 games) - 2006-08

  8. 5.5 - Noreen MCCALLUM (57 games) - 2002-04

  9. 5.4 - Chelsea LYLES (62 games) - 2008-10

 10. 5.1 - Adrianne MCNALLY (128 games) - 2006-10

Career defensive rebounds

  1. 621 - Whitney KNIGHT (114o-621d) - 2011-16

  2. 558 - Sarah HANSEN (329o-558d) - 2009-14

  3. 420 - Courtney CHIHIL (183o-420d) - 2008-12

  4. 418 - Adrianne MCNALLY (240o-418d) - 2006-10

  5. 404 - Robyn SWAIN (236o-404d) - 2002-04

  6. 327 - Taylor GRADINJAN (106o-327d) - 2012-present

  7. 324 - DyTiesha DUNSON (61o-324d) - 2012-16

  8. 322 - Kaneisha ATWATER (186o-322d) - 2013-16

  9. 269 - Stephanie HAAS (96o-269d) - 2012-16

 10. 254 - Jaime GLUESING (61o-254d) - 2012-16

Career offensive rebounds

  1. 329 - Sarah HANSEN (329o-558d) - 2009-14

  2. 240 - Adrianne MCNALLY (240o-418d) - 2006-10

  3. 236 - Robyn SWAIN (236o-404d) - 2002-04

  4. 194 - Kate SCHRADER (194o-215d) - 2005-07

  5. 193 - Katie MEADOR (193o-229d) - 2012-16

  6. 186 - Kaneisha ATWATER (186o-322d) - 2013-16

  7. 183 - Courtney CHIHIL (183o-420d) - 2008-12

  8. 161 - Tytionia ADDERLY (161o-240d) - 2016-present

  9. 123 - Noreen MCCALLUM (123o-188d) - 2002-04

 10. 122 - Andrea CLARKE (122o-196d) - 2003-05

Career games played

  1. 140 - Jaime GLUESING - 2012-16

  2. 139 - Stephanie HAAS - 2012-16

  3. 135 - Katie MEADOR - 2012-16

  4. 132 - DyTiesha DUNSON - 2012-16

      132 - Sarah HANSEN - 2009-14

  6. 130 - Whitney KNIGHT - 2011-16

  7. 129 - Taylor GRADINJAN - 2012-present

  8. 128 - Adrianne MCNALLY - 2006-10

  9. 124 - Kelsey JACOBSON - 2008-12

     124 - Shannon MURPHY - 2007-11

Career games started

  1. 131 - Sarah HANSEN - 2009-14

  2. 118 - Adrianne MCNALLY - 2006-10

  3. 111 - Courtney CHIHIL - 2008-12

  4. 107 - Taylor GRADINJAN - 2012-present

  5. 103 - Shannon MURPHY - 2007-11

  6. 102 - Kaneisha ATWATER - 2013-16

  7. 97 - Whitney KNIGHT - 2011-16

  8. 96 - DyTiesha DUNSON - 2012-16

  9. 69 - Candy MYERS - 2003-06

 10. 66 - Eglah GRIFFIN - 2009-12

       66 - Megan JONES - 2002-05

Career minutes

  1. 3877 - Sarah HANSEN - 2009-14

  2. 3621 - DyTiesha DUNSON - 2012-16

  3. 3581 - Shannon MURPHY - 2007-11

  4. 3532 - Adrianne MCNALLY - 2006-10

  5. 3501 - Courtney CHIHIL - 2008-12

  6. 3330 - Kelsey JACOBSON - 2008-12

  7. 3277 - Whitney KNIGHT - 2011-16

  8. 3232 - Taylor GRADINJAN - 2012-present

  9. 3160 - Kaneisha ATWATER - 2013-16

 10. 2833 - Stephanie HAAS - 2012-16

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the women's basketball program, follow @FGCU_WBB on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook at /FGCUWBB.

COACH SMESKO
FGCU head coach Karl Smesko rallied the 2016-17 Eagles to their seventh-straight 25-win campaign, which culminated in the team's fourth NCAA tournament appearance in six seasons of eligibility. The seven-time ASUN Coach of the Year was named the espnW Mid-Major Coach of the Year in 2015-16 following a run that witnessed the Eagles finish a best-ever 33-6. Over a five-year stretch starting in 2011-12, FGCU racked up four ASUN seasons with a perfect record and capped the run with back-to-back 30 plus win seasons. In 2014-15, the team earned its first top-25 ranking and another NCAA Tournament trip as a seven seed, where FGCU won its first ever NCAA Division-I Tournament game against No. 10 Oklahoma State. With 26 wins in 2016-17, Smesko has guided the Eagles to 13-straight 20-win seasons.  He maintains a record of 418-85 (.831) at FGCU, including a 160-15 (.914) mark in ASUN play. Over the past six seasons, he has guided FGCU to a 93-3 (.969) record in conference play. Smesko earned his 400th career coaching win in 2014-15 in just 493 career games, two games faster than UConn's Geno Auriemma. He holds a career head coaching record of 479-112 (.810). Smesko ranks among an elite list of just four active Division I coaches with a career win percentage of .800 or higher, joining Auriemma, Baylor's Kim Mulkey and Stanford's Tara VanDerveer in the esteemed group.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE 
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help.