She's back! Jewett-Giles announces return to @FGCU_WBB for graduate year

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Keri Jewett-Giles will return to the FGCU women's basketball team for her graduate season in 2019-20 after originally planning on stepping away from the game after last year. She announced the decision on Twitter this afternoon.

Thus, with the offseason addition of Indiana State graduate transfer Ashli O'Neal (Wyoming, Ohio/Wyoming HS), along with the return of Davion Wingate (Atlanta, Ga./Stephenson HS), FGCU will suddenly bring a lot of experience to the point guard position this coming year.

"We are excited to welcome Keri back to the team," FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. "I am happy that she has decided to return to earn her master's degree and utilize her last year of eligibility. On the court, she is a dynamic offensive player and a lock-down defender. It's good to have her back."

Jewett-Giles (Fort Myers, Fla./Dunbar HS) averaged 12.8 points, 3.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals in her first season with the Green and Blue last year, leading the team to a 28-5 record and an unblemished 16-0 conference slate.

Following the loss of Lisa Zderadicka to a season-ending injury on Feb. 19, Jewett-Giles averaged 17 points over the final seven games, including a 28-point outburst on the road at Jacksonville on March 2, a 21-point effort in the ASUN championship game against Liberty on March 17 and a game-high 24 points in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against Miami on the road.

The hometown guard, who was named the ASUN tournament MVP for her performance against Liberty, transferred to FGCU prior to the 2017-18 season from Southern Miss before sitting out her first year due to NCAA Division I transfer rules. She will now enter her graduate season just 89 points shy of 1,000 in her career.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more information on additions to this year's schedule at FGCUathletics.com.

BASKETBALL SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
FGCU basketball encourages fans to become a season ticket holder by getting on the Season Ticket Priority List*. Join by contacting an FGCU Ticket Office representative at 239-590-7145 or by visiting Alico Arena Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Join the 2019-20 Season Ticket Priority List

*The Season Ticket Priority List will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited availability, Priority Level 1 and 2 cannot be guaranteed for new purchasers. Seating location availability for new ticket packages will depend on renewals and upgrades of current season ticket holders. Eagles Club membership may be required for certain seats, with giving levels utilized for access to better locations.

The season-ticket renewal deadline has passed, however renewal orders are still being accepted during the reseating process. Tickets may be renewed by filling out the form below. Season ticket holders who renew their seats and refer new purchasers will also be eligible for account credits. Season tickets may also be renewed by phone at 239-590-7145 or in person at Alico Arena Monday-Friday between 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Season Ticket Renewal Form

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 524-119 (.815) 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 78 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.

--FGCUATHLETICS.COM--

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Players Mentioned

#3 Keri Jewett-Giles: G; 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior

#0 Davion Wingate: G; 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior

#5 Lisa Zderadicka: G; 5' 6"; Redshirt Senior

#34 Ashli O'Neal: G; 5' 5"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#3 Keri Jewett-Giles
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior
: G

#0 Davion Wingate
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior
: G

#5 Lisa Zderadicka
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#34 Ashli O'Neal
: 5' 5"; Graduate Student
: G