INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The NCAA's Media Coordination and Statistics staff has officially named the FGCU women's basketball team as the 2019-20 Division I statistical champions for 3-point field goals per game, turnover margin and fewest turnovers per game.
 
"It is always good when you can say you're the best in the country at something," FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. "These categories are things we emphasize daily. Our players and assistant coaches deserve a lot of credit for taking pride in our performance in these areas."
 
The Eagles, who also led the nation in 3-point field goals made (397) and 3-point field goals attempted (1,155), made 12 3-point field goals per game this year, which was one per game more than second place DePaul. It represents the third time since 2011-12 that the Eagles have captured the national crown, while this year's squad tied the 2017-18 version of the Green and Blue for the best average in program history. They came within 0.5 makes per game of tying the NCAA's all-time single-season record. Furthermore, the team's 397 made 3-point field goals is fourth-most in NCAA Division I women's basketball history.
 
In regard to taking care of the ball, FGCU proved its efficiency throughout the season. Their 10.27 turnover margin was nearly two better than second-place DePaul (8.39) and their 10.5 turnovers per game was 0.4 fewer than Colorado State.
 
FGCU also finished among the nation's best in assist to turnover ratio (5th, 1.49), while Tytionia Adderly (2.19) and Keri Jewett-Giles (1.83) finished 34th and 80th, respectively, in that category individually. Other categories in which the Green and Blue excelled were fewest total turnovers (7th, 348), scoring margin (8th, 20.3), total steals (7th, 362), win-loss percentage (6th, .909), steals per game (11th), turnovers forced (14th) and scoring offense (15th).
 
2019-20 NCAA Leaders
 
3-Point FGs Made Per Game
1. FGCU - 12.0
2. DePaul - 11.0
3. High Point - 10.5
4. Abilene Christian - 10.0
T-5. Arkansas - 9.8
T-5. Central Michigan - 9.8
 
Fewest Turnovers Per Game
1. FGCU - 10.5
2. Colorado State - 10.9
3. Arkansas - 11.0
4. Oregon - 11.1
5. Pepperdine - 11.2
 
Turnover Margin
1. FGCU - 10.27
2. DePaul - 8.39
3. East Carolina - 8.13
4. Kentucky - 7.90
5. Maryland - 7.25
 
Notes
The No. 24 Eagles will have to replace eight players, including four starters, prior to next year after finishing 30-3 overall in 2019-20. The squad captured the program's conference record-breaking 10th ASUN regular season championship behind a 15-1 record and a seventh tournament title.
 
Historically, FGCU is on pace to become the NCAA's all-time Division I winning percentage leader at the end of the 2020-21 season. They have produced at least 25 wins in each of the past 10 seasons, including four 30-win campaigns over the past six seasons, becoming one of just five NCAA Division I programs that can boast that, joining South Carolina, Baylor, Notre Dame and UConn.
 
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.

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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 554-122 (.820) 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 12-plus seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just eight-plus 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 women's basketball (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 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty-one consecutive semesters. The 2019 Fall semester 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.