FORT MYERS, Fla. - Tishara Morehouse poured in a game-high 35 points, but the FGCU women's basketball team (1-2) dropped an 86-80 heartbreaker to No. 14 Arkansas (3-0) on the second day of the Gulf Coast Showcase's Beach Bubble inside Alico Arena on Saturday. It was the first-ever matchup between the two programs.
 
"It's definitely a better effort," FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said of his team, which was coming off a 25-point loss to No. 24 Missouri State on Friday. "We played a top 15 team in the nation, and we had a chance to win it at the end. We just came up a little short in the end."
 
The key turning point came with 8:08 remaining in the fourth quarter when Morehouse (Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King HS/Western Nebraska CC) and Aaliyah Stanley both had to exit the game for several minutes due to injuries. The Eagles led 69-62 at that moment, and Arkansas reeled off a 10-2 run over the next three minutes, eventually outscoring FGCU 26-13 in the final quarter.
 
Morehouse was able to return several minutes later, converting a layup to give FGCU a 74-72 lead with 4:39 left. However, a turnover and a missed layup by the Eagles led to five straight points and a three-point lead for the visitors with 2:15 remaining, and they held an 80-76 lead with 1:32 left.
 
The teams traded baskets, including a layup from Morehouse with 34 seconds left, that cut the Arkansas lead to just two with 34 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, the Razorbacks missed the shot, but got a second chance with an offensive rebound. The inbounds pass went out of bounds, though, giving FGCU a chance to tie or take the lead.
 
FGCU ran a play for Maddie Antenucci (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill HS) to get a 3-point attempt after a timeout, but it fell short. Arkansas then made the ensuing free throws to seal the win.

"Antenucci is one of our best shooters, and we did run the play for her to get the shot," Smesko said. "We ended up not running the play perfectly, so she was deeper than what we had hoped. Obviously, we didn't need a three, but we were pretty gassed at the point, and I thought it was an opportunity for us to win the game in regulation."
 
With her performance, which included a 14-for-20 line from the field along with four rebounds, Morehouse became just the fifth Eagle to register a 35-point performance in a single-game in the program's Division I era, and three of those came last year - including the record of 38 set by Davion Wingate in last year's ASUN semifinal vs North Florida.
 
Morehouse also tied Ty Adderly (14 vs North Alabama, 2019) for the most made field goals in a game in the Division I era, and the Eagles held a 14-point advantage with Morehouse on the court.
 
"She didn't play well on Friday, and she was really disappointed as it was her first game with us," Smesko said. "Today, she just had a different attitude. She bounced back. Right from the beginning, she was making better decisions and seeing the opportunities that her offense presents for her rather than forcing situations that aren't there. She was just able to create good shots over and over by consistently doing the things that are there for her to do. That was an excellent performance. Hopefully she can build on it. She's definitely a really talented player."
 
In addition to Morehouse, Stanley (Boynton Beach, Fla./Oxbridge Academy/Eastern Michigan) added 13 points, while Emma List (11) and Alyssa Blair (10) each also reached double-figures. As a team, FGCU finished 32-for-66 (.485) from the field, including an 11-for-35 (.314) finish from long distance.
 
List (Colorado Springs, Colo./Discovery Canyon Campus/Albany) led the team in rebounds (6) and assists (6). Blair (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie HS) added four rebounds.
 
FGCU, which is now 4-5 all-time against the SEC, will be back in action on Sunday with an 11:30 a.m. matchup against Davidson.
 
Gulf Coast Showcase Beach Bubble Schedule/Results
 
Friday, Nov. 27
No. 14 Arkansas d. Wake Forest 98-82
No. 11 Maryland d. Davidson 94-72
No. 24 Missouri State d. FGCU 74-49
 
Saturday, Nov. 28
Wake Forest d. Davidson 85-77
No. 14 Arkansas d. FGCU 86-80
No. 11 Maryland vs No. 24 Missouri State, 5:30 p.m.
 
Sunday, Nov. 29
Davidson vs FGCU, 11:30 a.m.
No. 24 Missouri State vs Wake Forest, 2:30 p.m.
No. 14 Arkansas vs No. 11 Maryland, 5:30 p.m.
 
NOTES
Tickets are not available to the Beach Bubble as the event is closed to the public, but fans can watch via FloHoops at the link here. There is a cost to view.
 
For complete coverage of the women's basketball program, follow the Eagles on Twitter and Instagram at @FGCU_WBB, on Facebook at /fgcuwbb and online at www.FGCUathletics.com. You can also sign-up to have news on FGCU women's basketball or other programs delivered directly to your inbox by visiting www.fgcuathletics.com/email.
 
SUSTAINING FLIGHT 
To help offset the financial impact of COVID-19, FGCU Athletics has launched the Sustaining Flight Fundraiser and Auction. The fundraising campaign will help mitigate operational revenue loss and the additional expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 protocols. All funds raised during the campaign will go to support areas that directly impact student-athletes.
 
In lieu of hosting the annual Night at the Nest gala this year, one of FGCU's most successful fundraising events, the department will be hosting a virtual, online auction from Monday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 4. Fans and supporters will be able to bid on exclusive memorabilia, trip packages, unique event experiences and more. For more information, visit www.fgcuathletics.com/sustainingflight. 
 
E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
 
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 maintains a record of 555-124 (.817) overall in his career (third highest winning percentage among active Division I coaches behind only UConn's Geno Auriemma and Baylor's Kim Mulkey), including a 201-17 (.922) mark in ASUN regular season play and a 24-2 (.923) record in ASUN tournament play. Over the past nine seasons, including this year, he has guided FGCU to a 137-5 (.975) record in conference play with five undefeated seasons. The 10-time ASUN Coach of the Year has guided the Green and Blue to four 30-plus win seasons over the past six years while compiling a 179-31 (.852) record. He has also guided the program to 16 consecutive 20-win seasons and 10-straight 25-win seasons.
 
#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 82 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 13 seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just nine seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 38 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including women's basketball (No. 24, 2019-20) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as three of the most recent. 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 3.46 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2020 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for 22 consecutive semesters. The 2019 Fall and 2020 Spring semesters each saw another milestone reached as all 15 programs achieved a 3.0-or-higher team GPA. 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--