FORT MYERS, Fla. - Amidst the hottest offensive start in program history, the FGCU women's basketball team (2-0) will host UCF (1-1) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. inside Alico Arena in a matchup of reigning NCAA Tournament teams.
Big Time Matchup
FGCU and UCF each competed in the NCAA Tournament in Miami last year and received votes in the initial USA Today Coaches Poll this season. The Knights, who went 26-7 last year, knocked off Power 5 school, Pittsburgh, in their season opener and their lone loss came to mid-major power Belmont on the road.
It will be the first meeting between the two in seven years and the first time they've met this early in the season. The Green and Blue hold a 3-1 record all-time in the series, although UCF pulled out a 60-53 win on Dec. 22, 2012 the last time the two teams met in Alico Arena.
Torrid Start
The Eagles have scored 199 points through two games this year, which is 14 more than any other team in the program's Division I era (185, 2014-15) and six more than any team overall in program history (193, 2005-06). They're attempting to produce just the fourth 3-0 start to a Division I season, an accomplishment only achieved by the 2010-11 (14-0), 2017-18 (6-0) and 2013-14 (3-0) teams.
Individually,
Davion Wingate has started her senior campaign with 37 points combined in the team's victories over Florida International and Webber International. In doing so, she tied Rosemarie Julien (2017-18), Sarah Hansen (2012-13) and Nicoya Jackson (2011-12) for the third-most points through two games in the program's Division I era. The only two better were
Nasrin Ulel (45, 2017-18) and Whitney Knight (39, 2013-14).
Additionally,
Wingate (Atlanta, Ga./Stephenson HS) and
Anja Marinkovic had 23 and 20 points, respectively, last Thursday to become the first duo in 14 years - and the first in the Division I era - to both score 20 or more in a home opener. Kate Schrader (22) and Ebonie Halliburton (20) last did it in the 2005-06 season, while Trish Fleming (31) and Jennifer Santana (17) did it in 2002-03 - although that performance came in what is now Hertz Arena as Alico Arena wasn't finished yet.
Marinkovic's (Sombor, Serbia/Northern Secondary HS) 20-point performance not only came over just 12 minutes of play, but she joined Wingate and
Ulel (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta HS) as one of three players with six made 3-pointers so far this year. In fact, both her (28 points in 21 minutes) and Wingate (37 points in 35 minutes) have each scored more than a point per minute so far.
All of that may be secondary to the NCAA record-shattering performance by the Eagles to open the season. In a 100-54 win over Florida International on the road, FGCU became the first Division I women's basketball team in NCAA history to outscore an opponent by 39 points in a quarter. In fact, the 41-2 second quarter represented the fifth-most points scored by a team since the NCAA switched to quarters, and the first half featured a 47-0 run by the Green and Blue. Defensively, the two points allowed over that 10-minute stretch is tied for the second-fewest the team has allowed in any quarter all-time.
Notes
The Eagles have several players nearing 1,000 points in their NCAA career: Ulel (950),
Keri Jewett-Giles (937), Wingate (915) and
Ashli O'Neal (872).
Tytionia Adderly continues her push to become the program's all-time rebounds leader. The senior has 15 this year and 861 for her career, which is 27 shy of surpassing Sarah Hansen (887, 2010-14) for the record. She is also attempting to become the first player in program history with 1,000 rebounds, which would also make her only the 12th in ASUN history to achieve that milestone. She currently ranks 21st in conference history, 15 shy of passing Lamilia Ford (Stetson, 1993-96, 873) for a spot in the top 20.
NCAA Team Statistical Leaders (Top 50)
Assists - 14th, 43
Assists/game - 22nd, 21.5
Fewest turnovers - 21st, 13
Scoring defense - 48th, 51.0
Steals - 19th, 28
Steals/game - 29th, 14.0
3-point FG defense - 40th, 20.0
Turnovers forced - 19th, 27.50
Win-loss percentage - T-1st, 100.0
Assist/Turnover Ratio
1. FGCU, 3.31
2. Montana, 2.73
3. Idaho State, 2.60
4. San Diego, 2.55
5. Loyola Chicago, 2.41
Scoring Margin
1. Baylor, 71.0
2. Abilene Christian, 60.0
3. Idaho State, 57.0
4. Montana, 53.0
5. San Diego, 52.0
6. Ohio State, 51.0
7. Troy, 49.0
8. FGCU, 48.5
9. Penn, 48.0
10. Rutgers, 47.5
Scoring Offense
1. Baylor, 108.5
2. Abilene Christian, 107.5
3. Central Michigan, 105.0
4. Southern Illinois, 103.0
5. Troy, 101.0
6. FGCU, 99.5
7. DePaul, 98.0
Montana, 98.0
9. Michigan State, 97.5
Boston College, 97.5
Turnover Margin
1. Troy, 25.00
2. Idaho State, 23.00
3. FGCU, 21.00
4. Navy, 18.50
5. Fresno State
Fewest Turnovers/Game
1. FGCU, 6.5
North Florida, 6.5
3. Hawaii, 7.0
4. CSUN, 7.5
5. Creighton, 8.0
3-Point Field Goals Attempted
1. FGCU, 90
2. Western Carolina, 79
3. Boise State, 78
4. High Point, 77
5. Saint Mary's, 71
3-Point Field Goals Made
1. FGCU, 33
2. Austin Peay, 29
3. Boise State, 28
4. Stanford, 27
Abilene Christian, 27
Colorado State, 27
3-Point Field Made Goals/Game
1. FGCU, 16.5
2. Central Michigan, 15.0
3. Austin Peay, 14.5
4. Stanford, 13.5
Abilene Christian, 13.5
NCAA Individual Statistical Leaders (Top 50)
Field goals made -
Davion Wingate (48th, 15)
Field-goal percentage -
Davion Wingate (39th, .714)
Points -
Davion Wingate (49th, 37)
Free throw percentage -
Anja Marinkovic (T-1st, 100.0)
3-point field goal percentage -
Anja Marinkovic,
Davion Wingate (T-42nd, .667)
FGCU Division I era career records
(2007-present)
Points
1. 1,901 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2010-14
2. 1,574 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-12,13-16
3. 1,312 - Kaneisha ATWATER (106 games) - 2013-16
4. 1,263 - Kelsey JACOBSON (124 games) - 2008-12
5. 1,234 - Taylor GRADINJAN (148 games) - 2012-13,14-18
6. 1,185 - Shannon MURPHY (124 games) - 2007-11
7. 1,181 - Adrianne MCNALLY (93 games) - 2007-10
8. 1,138 - Stephanie HAAS (139 games) - 2012-16
9. 1,016 - Courtney CHIHIL (120 games) - 2008-12
10. 950 - Nasrin ULEL (97 games) - 2016-present
Field goals made
1. 685 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2010-14
2. 523 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-12,13-16
3. 457 - Kaneisha ATWATER (106 games) - 2013-16
4. 424 - Taylor GRADINJAN (148 games) - 2012-13,14-18
5. 414 - Stephanie HAAS (139 games) - 2012-16
6. 409 - Adrianne MCNALLY (93 games) - 2007-10
7. 402 - Shannon MURPHY (124 games) - 2007-11
8. 385 - Kelsey JACOBSON (124 games) - 2008-12
9. 337 - Nasrin ULEL (97 games) - 2016-present
10. 326 - Courtney CHIHIL (120 games) - 2008-12
3-point field goals made
1. 330 - Kelsey JACOBSON (124 games) - 2008-12
2. 299 - Taylor GRADINJAN (148 games) - 2012-13,14-18
3. 294 - Whitney KNIGHT (130 games) - 2011-12,13-16
4. 219 - Shannon MURPHY (124 games) - 2007-11
5. 171 - Eglah GRIFFIN (95 games) - 2009-12
6. 165 - Nasrin ULEL (97 games) - 2016-present
7. 123 - Haley LAUGHTER (90 games) - 2014-17
8. 122 - Courtney CHIHIL (120 games) - 2008-12
122 - Rosemarie JULIEN (71 games) - 2016-18
10. 114 - Sarah HANSEN (132 games) - 2010-14
Rebounds
1. 887 - Sarah HANSEN (329o-558d) - 2010-14
2. 861 - Tytionia ADDERLY (343o-518d) - 2016-present
3. 735 - Whitney KNIGHT (114o-621d) - 2011-12,13-16
4. 603 - Courtney CHIHIL (183o-420d) - 2008-12
5. 508 - Kaneisha ATWATER (187o-321d) - 2013-16
6. 504 - Adrianne MCNALLY (175o-329d) - 2007-10
7. 498 - Taylor GRADINJAN (117o-381d) - 2012-13,14-18
8. 422 - Katie MEADOR (193o-229d) - 2012-16
9. 385 - DyTiesha DUNSON (61o-324d) - 2012-16
10. 365 - Stephanie HAAS (96o-269d) - 2012-16
Assists
1. 454 - DyTiesha DUNSON - 2012-16
2. 419 - Shannon MURPHY - 2007-11
3. 333 - Courtney CHIHIL - 2008-12
4. 285 - Adrianne MCNALLY - 2007-10
5. 260 - Brittany KENNEDY - 2011-13
6. 250 - Sarah HANSEN - 2010-14
7. 245 - Whitney KNIGHT - 2011-12,13-16
8. 239 - Kelsey JACOBSON - 2008-12
9. 229 - Kaneisha ATWATER - 2013-16
10. 208 - Tytionia ADDERLY - 2016-present
Steals
1. 249 - Sarah HANSEN - 2010-14
2. 206 - Whitney KNIGHT - 2011-12,13-16
3. 199 - Courtney CHIHIL - 2008-12
4. 168 - Shannon MURPHY - 2007-11
5. 153 - Kaneisha ATWATER - 2013-16
6. 148 - Brittany KENNEDY - 2011-13
7. 146 - Tytionia ADDERLY - 2016-present
8. 143 - DyTiesha DUNSON - 2012-16
9. 114 - Taylor GRADINJAN - 2012-13,14-18
10. 112 - Jenna COBB - 2013-15
Games started
1. 131 - Sarah HANSEN - 2010-14
2. 126 - Taylor GRADINJAN - 2012-13,14-18
3. 111 - Courtney CHIHIL - 2008-12
4. 103 - Shannon MURPHY - 2007-11
5. 102 - Kaneisha ATWATER - 2013-16
6. 97 - Whitney KNIGHT - 2011-12,13-16
7. 96 - DyTiesha DUNSON - 2012-16
8. 92 - Tytionia ADDERLY - 2016-present
9. 90 - Adrianne MCNALLY - 2007-10
10. 71 - Rosemarie JULIEN - 2016-18
11. 69 - Nasrin ULEL - 2016-present
TICKET INFORMATION
Season and mini-plan packages for the 2019-20 FGCU women's basketball team are now on sale. More information can be accessed by visiting FGCUTickets.com. To purchase tickets, or for additional inquiries, call the FGCU Ticket Office at 239-590-7145 Monday-Friday from 9 AM-5 PM.
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.
SUPPORT THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM
Do you enjoy watching or following the FGCU women's basketball program? Would you like to play a role in the growth of the program and help take it to heights never before experienced? If so, you can reach out to Director of Advancement, Matt Ring, about opportunities to make an impact on the experiences of our student-athletes. He can be reached by email at mring@fgcu.edu or by office phone at 239-745-4434.
COACH SMESKO
FGCU head coach Karl Smesko led the 2018-19 Eagles to the program's fifth undefeated conference regular season since 2011-12, as well as the ninth consecutive season with at least 25 victories. The Green and Blue finished 28-5 overall and 16-0 in ASUN play, capturing the team's ninth ASUN regular season championship and sixth ASUN tournament championship. The team finished the season receiving votes in the final AP Poll and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in eight seasons before falling to host No. 19 Miami in the first round. It was the team's 12th-straight postseason appearance in 12 years of Division-I existence - the only program to ever do such.
Over the past five seasons, Smesko has guided FGCU to three 30-plus win seasons while recording a 149-28 (.841) record overall. That win total ranks eighth-best in the nation over that stretch - the most among all mid-majors and ahead of programs such as Oregon State and Stanford.
Including 2018-19, Smesko has also guided the Eagles to 15-straight 20-win seasons. He maintains a record of 526-119 (.816) overall in his career (third highest winning percentage among active D1 coaches behind only UConn's Geno Auriemma and Baylor's Kim Mulkey), including a 186-16 (.921) mark in ASUN play. Over the past eight seasons (including 2018-19), he has guided FGCU to a 124-4 (.969) record in conference play with five undefeated seasons. The now nine-time ASUN Coach of the Year earned his 400th career coaching win in 2014-15 in just 493 career games, two games faster than Auriemma.
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April 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 raise awareness.
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 79 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 12 seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just eight seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty consecutive semesters. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 - being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
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