FORT MYERS, Fla. - The FGCU women's basketball team (9-2, 2-0 ASUN) will look to extend an eight-game winning streak this weekend as they host a pair of games against Lipscomb University (5-5, 2-2) on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. inside Alico Arena. It will represent the conference home opener for the Eagles, who are coming off a series sweep of Bellarmine University on the road last weekend.
Both games are slated to air on ESPN+. Tom James will handle the play-by-play on Saturday, while John Vittas will handle it on Sunday with J. Webb Horton providing color commentary both games.
PROMOTIONS
On Saturday, Chris Sale and his wife, Brianne, will begin the seventh-annual Laces of Love shoe drive during the game as youth shoe donations will be accepted in the lobby. A nonprofit organization that began in 2005, Laces of Love has given over 100,000 pairs of shoes to low income and disadvantaged kids in Lee and Collier County. The organization will also accept shoes at the men's basketball game on Feb. 6.
On Sunday, FGCU will host the #Play4Kay game with vintage pink t-shirts on sale for $5 in the lobby with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. In conjunction with that, fans are encouraged to wear pink.
SERIES HISTORY
FGCU is 28-0 all-time against Lipscomb, which includes a 16-0 record inside Alico Arena. The Eagles produced a 105-71 victory in last year's ASUN quarterfinals, where
Davion Wingate scored a single-game program record 38 points and the team tied its own ASUN tournament single-game scoring record. In fact, the Green and Blue has produced three of the program's 20 all-time 100-plus point performances vs Lipscomb.
LIPSCOMB PREVIEW
The Bisons, led by second-year head coach Lauren Sumski, enter this weekend with a 5-5 record overall, which includes a 2-2 performance within ASUN play. Individually, the team is led in scoring by Taylor Clark (13.5 PPG), Jalyn Holcomb (11.1 PPG) and Casey Collier (10.2 PPG), while Dorie Harrison leads the way on the glass with 5.7 rebounds per game. Collier leads the team from the point guard position and has a team-high 31 assists, although Holcomb isn't far behind with 25. As a team, Lipscomb has fallen to several high-quality non-conference opponents, including South Dakota on the road to open the season Dec. 6 (89-52), Middle Tennessee on Dec. 20 (84-64) and at Tennessee Dec. 28 (77-52). Their lone two conference losses were to Liberty. Cleveland Browns fans may recognize the Holcomb name as Jalyn is the daughter of former NFL quarterback Kelly Holcomb.
500 IN THE REAR VIEW
FGCU is now 502-97 (.838) all-time heading into this weekend's series, and they are on pace to become the winningest program in NCAA Division I history at the end of this year as they are one of just two teams with at least an .800 all-time winning percentage (Tennessee, .801). FGCU will qualify for the list once they complete this season and reach the minimum 10 years as a full Division I program.
100th win - Nov. 18, 2006 vs Puerto Rico Rio Piedras (106-36)
200th win - Feb. 11, 2010 vs Jacksonville (63-55)
300th win - Jan. 23, 2014 vs Jacksonville (56-49)
400th win - Feb. 18, 2017 vs USC Upstate (80-50)
500th win - Dec. 21, 2020 vs Florida International (80-66)
ANSWERING THE BELL
In the first action for her team since Dec. 21,
Kierstan Bell averaged 20 points and nine rebounds in a pair of wins over Bellarmine University last weekend. In doing so, she was named the ASUN's newcomer of the week for the fourth time this season, which puts her one shy of matching
Ashli O'Neal's program record and two short of the ASUN's all-time record.
In Saturday's win over Bellarmine, Bell tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds to produce her fourth consecutive double-double, which broke Whitney Knight's single-season record streak. The streak was snapped on Sunday, but the sophomore forward still registered 24 points and eight rebounds.
Bell is averaging 22.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, three blocks, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game this year while shooting 73-for-132 (.553) from the field and 24-for-60 (.400) from long distance. She leads the ASUN in scoring, rebounding and blocks per game.
The Buckeye State native, who is also the only player in the conference currently averaging a double-double, landed a spot on the NCAA.com Starting Five Dec. 30 and was named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Midseason Watch List on Jan. 6. Furthermore, Bell has registered six double-doubles in her eight games, which includes four with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, and she is just two shy of matching the program's record for most in a season currently held by Whitney Knight and Sarah Hansen. She has six games with at least 20 points, six games with at least 10 rebounds, five games with at least three blocks and four games with multiple steals. On top of that, she is a two-time ASUN player of the week (12/14, 12/28) in addition to her now four ASUN newcomer of the week awards.
Across the nation, Bell is the only player to currently rank among the top 20 in points, rebounds and blocks per game. In fact, she's one of just three players to be averaging at least 22 points and 11 rebounds along with Villanova's Madison Siegrist (24 PPG, 11.1 RPG) and Michigan's Naz Hillmon (23.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG). Plus, she is one of just two players averaging at least 11 rebounds and three blocks with the other being Longwood's Akila Smith (11.3 RPG, 3.87 BPG).
Most Double-Doubles in a Single Season
FGCU's Division I Era
| Whitney Knight |
8 |
2015-16 |
| Sarah Hansen |
8 |
2012-13 |
| Kierstan Bell |
6 |
2020-21 |
| Whitney Knight |
6 |
2014-15 |
| Sarah Hansen |
6 |
2013-14 |
| Destiny Washington |
5 |
2018-19 |
| Tytionia Adderly |
5 |
2017-18 |
| Sarah Hansen |
5 |
2011-12 |
| Andrea Clarke |
5 |
2004-05 |
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
Tishara Morehouse, who became just the fifth Eagle to register a 35-point performance in a single game in the program's Division I era against No. 14 Arkansas on Nov. 28, has formed a nice 1-2 scoring punch for the Eagles this year along with
Kierstan Bell. The duo ranks first and second in the ASUN in scoring, and each of them averaged at least 20 points per game in the sweep of Bellarmine last weekend.
The junior guard, who tied
Tytionia Adderly's single-game program mark for most made field goals (14 vs North Alabama, 2019) in that game against Arkansas, is averaging 18.3 points this year while shooting 47.5 percent from the field. She ranks 60th in the nation in scoring and has scored in double-figures in nine of her 10 games this year, which includes a trio of 25-point plus performances. On top of that, she had zero turnovers while pouring in 19 points in the team's most recent game last Sunday at Bellarmine.
CECIL APPROACHES 1,000
Andrea Cecil, who is averaging seven points per contest with four double-digit efforts this year, has pushed her NCAA scoring total to 968 entering this weekend. She is in her first season with the Eagles after coming to Fort Myers as a graduate transfer from Bowling Green State University and is looking to become the ninth transfer to join the Eagles and then score her 1,000th point. Jordin Alexander is on the list below, but she scored her 1,000th point before coming to FGCU.
1,000 NCAA Points, Finished Career with Green and Blue
| Pts. |
Player |
Years |
Previous School (If One) |
| 1,901 |
Sarah Hansen |
2010-14 |
|
| 1,574 |
Whitney Knight |
2011-16 |
|
| 1,498 |
Kaneisha Atwater |
2012-16 |
VCU |
| 1,464 |
Keri Jewett-Giles |
2015-20 |
Southern Miss |
| 1,415 |
Adrianne McNally |
2006-10 |
|
| 1,364 |
Davion Wingate |
2015-20 |
Stony Brook |
| 1,356 |
Destiny Washington |
2014-19 |
Ball State |
| 1,329 |
Jordin Alexander |
2012-17 |
Brown |
| 1,263 |
Kelsey Jacobson |
2008-12 |
|
| 1,234 |
Taylor Gradinjan |
2012-18 |
|
| 1,185 |
Shannon Murphy |
2007-11 |
|
| 1,138 |
Stephanie Haas |
2012-16 |
|
| 1,114 |
Ashli O'Neal |
2016-20 |
Indiana State |
| 1,093 |
China Dow |
2013-18 |
Middle Tennessee State |
| 1,084 |
Nasrin Ulel |
2016-20 |
|
| 1,060 |
Betsy Adams |
2008-13 |
Valparaiso |
| 1,035 |
Lisa Zderadicka |
2014-19 |
Houston Baptist |
| 1,016 |
Courtney Chihil |
2008-12 |
|
BLAIR LOOKS TO JOIN 100-GAME CLUB
In FGCU's Division I era, only 15 players have played at least 100 career games in the Green and Blue.
Alyssa Blair, who joined the program as a walk-on, has a chance to become the 16th as she currently sits at 98 enter the Lipscomb series.
ASUN ROUNDUP
Here's how the ASUN standings look entering this weekend.
| Place |
Team |
Overall |
ASUN |
| 1. |
Liberty |
10-3 |
6-0 |
| 2. |
FGCU |
9-2 |
2-0 |
| 3. |
North Florida |
5-6 |
3-1 |
| 4. |
Lipscomb |
5-5 |
2-2 |
| 5. |
Stetson |
3-4 |
1-1 |
| 6. |
North Alabama |
3-10 |
2-2 |
| 7. |
Jacksonville |
2-5 |
0-2 |
| 8. |
Kennesaw State |
4-4 |
0-4 |
| 9. |
Bellarmine |
0-9 |
0-4 |
Weekend Series Schedule - Jan. 23-24
North Alabama at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Bellarmine at Stetson, 1 p.m.
Lipscomb at FGCU, 2 p.m.
North Florida at Kennesaw State, 2 p.m.
ASUN DOMINANCE
FGCU joined the ASUN prior the 2007-08 season and immediately saw success among the ranks, winning 84 of their first 85 conference home games and currently having lost just five ASUN regular season games since 2011-12. Including last year, the team has won 10 of 13 regular-season championships since they joined the ASUN, while also never finishing lower than second in the final standings. If that isn't enough, the Eagles have won seven of nine tournament titles since earning postseason eligibility during the 2011-12 season.
FGCU vs the ASUN
Regular Season Home Games
| Year |
Wins |
Losses |
| 2007-08 |
8 |
0 |
| 2008-09 |
9 |
1 |
| 2009-10 |
10 |
0 |
| 2010-11 |
10 |
0 |
| 2011-12 |
9 |
0 |
| 2012-13 |
9 |
0 |
| 2013-14 |
9 |
0 |
| 2014-15 |
7 |
0 |
| 2015-16 |
7 |
0 |
| 2016-17 |
6 |
1 |
| 2017-18 |
7 |
0 |
| 2018-19 |
8 |
0 |
| 2019-20 |
7 |
1 |
| 2020-21 |
0 |
0 |
| Record |
106 |
3 |
FGCU vs the ASUN
Regular Season Play
| Year |
Record |
Overall |
| 2007-08 |
13 |
3 |
| 2008-09 |
17 |
3 |
| 2009-10 |
17 |
3 |
| 2010-11 |
17 |
3 |
| 2011-12 |
18 |
0 |
| 2012-13 |
18 |
0 |
| 2013-14 |
17 |
1 |
| 2014-15 |
14 |
0 |
| 2015-16 |
14 |
0 |
| 2016-17 |
12 |
2 |
| 2017-18 |
13 |
1 |
| 2018-19 |
16 |
0 |
| 2019-20 |
15 |
1 |
| 2020-21 |
2 |
0 |
| Total |
203 |
17 |
STREAKING THROUGH THE ASUN
FGCU has produced winning streaks of 44 (12/3/11 to 1/30/14), 44 (2/6/14 to 2/2/17) and 37 (2/3/18 to 2/22/20) against the ASUN in regular season play. If you include postseason play, the Eagles have recorded 45, 43 and 41 game streaks. All six streaks rank among the top 20 in NCAA history in their two respective categories.
DEFENSIVE PROWESS AGAINST THE ASUN
Since joining the ASUN, FGCU has held opponents to 39 or fewer points 20 times in conference play. The program record for fewest points allowed in a conference game is 24, which came in a 32-point win over North Florida Feb. 25, 2015.
39 Points or Below Allowed vs ASUN opponents
Regular Season Only
| Date |
Result |
Opponent |
| 3/1/08 |
W 70-39 |
vs North Florida |
| 1/3/11 |
W 79-39 |
vs Belmont |
| 1/7/12 |
W 68-34 |
vs North Florida |
| 2/11/12 |
W 54-34 |
vs Belmont |
| 12/31/12 |
W 62-35 |
@ Kennesaw State |
| 1/21/13 |
W 67-37 |
vs Lipscomb |
| 2/16/13 |
W 89-39 |
@ Lipscomb |
| 3/02/13 |
W 74-36 |
vs Kennesaw State |
| 1/25/14 |
W 54-34 |
vs North Florida |
| 1/17/15 |
W 60-37 |
@ Jacksonville |
| 2/07/15 |
W 61-39 |
@ Stetson |
| 2/25/15 |
W 56-24 |
@ North Florida |
| 1/18/16 |
W 70-37 |
vs NJIT |
| 1/24/16 |
W 71-39 |
@ Lipscomb |
| 1/30/16 |
W 65-38 |
@ North Florida |
| 2/4/16 |
W 58-39 |
vs Jacksonville |
| 2/13/16 |
W 53-32 |
@ NJIT |
| 2/11/17 |
W 69-35 |
vs Kennesaw State |
| 1/29/19 |
W 67-35 |
@ NJIT |
| 1/25/20 |
W 82-39 |
vs NJIT |
| 2/22/20 |
W 68-39 |
@ NJIT |
ANOTHER ASUN STANDARD SET
Including last year, the Eagles have produced 12 or more wins in conference play EVERY season since joining the conference in 2007-08. In fact, over that span, all other members who have been in the ASUN since then have tallied a total of seven combined such seasons, and FGCU has 13 of the conference's 32 (40.6 percent) total seasons of 12 or more wins since 2007-08. Furthermore, the Green and Blue has six of the conference's eight 12-win seasons since the ASUN downsized from an 18-game schedule to a 14-16 game schedule from 2014-present.
12-Win Seasons In ASUN Play (Since 2007-08)
| FGCU |
13 |
| Stetson |
5 |
| ETSU |
4 |
| Jacksonville |
2 |
| Northern Kentucky |
2 |
| Mercer |
2 |
| USC Upstate |
2 |
| Campbell/Belmont |
1 |
NOTABLE ASUN ACHIEVEMENTS
- In 2018-19, FGCU finished undefeated in ASUN play and won the conference tournament in the same season for the third time since the program became eligible for the tournament in 2011-12. Prior to that, only one other team (FIU, 1992-93) had accomplished that in the now 35-year history of the conference. On top of that, the Eagles own five undefeated regular seasons since 2012 alone. The conference has only seen two other such seasons since 1986 (FIU, 1995-96 and FIU, 1992-93).
- FGCU has claimed four consecutive ASUN tournament championships, tying FIU (1992-96) for the all-time record.
- The Eagles have appeared in nine consecutive ASUN tournament championship games, the longest streak in conference history. The previous records were Georgia Southern (1986-90, five straight), FIU (1992-95, four straight), Georgia State (2000-03, four straight) and ETSU (2007-10, four straight).
- FGCU is now 24-2 all-time in the conference tournament, which represents the most victories in ASUN history, and they've done it in just 26 games over nine years. In doing so, they surpassed FIU's 21, which took them 11 years, and Georgia State's 20, which took 20 years. The next closest current ASUN member is Jacksonville with 16.
- On a related note, the Green and Blue's 24-2 (.923) winning percentage in the conference tournament tops anyone else. The closest current member is Jacksonville (16-15, .516) and the best former members include FIU (21-5, .809) and Georgia Southern (13-4, .765).
- With last year's title, FGCU is the first ASUN program (past or present) to win 10 regular season conference titles. They broke a tie with FIU, who had nine (seven outright). Additionally, the Eagles have dominated the league so much that only one other current member school has an ASUN regular season title since FGCU joined the conference (Stetson, 2017). Lipscomb shared the 2003-04 regular season crown with three others, which took place four years prior to the Green and Blue joining the ASUN.
Most ASUN Regular Season Titles
| School |
Titles |
Outright |
| FGCU |
10 |
10 |
| FIU |
9 |
7 |
| UCF |
4 |
3 |
| Georgia State |
3 |
2 |
| Georgia Southern |
3 |
|
| Belmont |
3 |
|
| ETSU |
2 |
|
| Mercer |
2 |
|
| Stetson |
1 |
|
| Florida A&M |
1 |
|
| Campbell |
1 |
|
| Lipscomb |
1 |
|
RUNNIN' THRU THE ASUN
Just how much has FGCU dominated the ASUN since joining the conference in 2007-08? Among current member schools, entering this weekend, here's how the Eagles stack up in regular season conference wins and overall wins since then.
Overall Regular Season Winning Percentage Among ASUN Schools (Since 2007-08)
| School |
W |
L |
Pct. |
| FGCU |
370 |
76 |
0.830 |
| North Alabama |
45 |
28 |
0.616 |
| Liberty |
46 |
30 |
0.605 |
| Stetson |
234 |
187 |
0.556 |
| Jacksonville |
216 |
197 |
0.523 |
| North Florida |
154 |
248 |
0.383 |
| Kennesaw St. |
149 |
244 |
0.379 |
| Lipscomb |
92 |
307 |
0.231 |
| Bellarmine |
0 |
9 |
0.000 |
ASUN Regular Season Play (Since 2007-08)
| School |
W |
L |
Pct. |
| FGCU |
203 |
17 |
0.923 |
| North Alabama |
23 |
13 |
0.639 |
| Liberty |
27 |
11 |
0.711 |
| Stetson |
133 |
891 |
0.599 |
| Jacksonville |
121 |
99 |
0.550 |
| Kennesaw St. |
84 |
138 |
0.378 |
| North Florida |
85 |
137 |
0.383 |
| Lipscomb |
52 |
170 |
0.234 |
| Bellarmine |
0 |
4 |
0.000 |
A PROGRAM FIRST
Andrea Cecil, a graduate transfer from Bowling Green State University, was tabbed as FGCU's lone preseason all-conference selection, becoming the first player in program history to land a spot on the team despite never playing a prior minute for the Green and Blue. She registered 891 points in her career with the Falcons, where she was named Third Team All-MAC while averaging a team-best 15.8 points, along with 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists, in her most recent season with BGSU.
Preseason Award Winners
Player of the Year: Jazz Bond, North Florida
Defensive Player of the Year: Jazz Bond, North Florida
Preseason All-Conference
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Yr. |
| *F |
Jazz Bond |
North Florida |
Sr. |
| *F |
Jada Perry |
Jacksonville |
Sr. |
| *G |
Amani Johnson |
Kennesaw State |
Jr. |
| *G |
Emily Lytle |
Liberty |
Sr. |
| *F |
Taylor Clark |
Lipscomb |
Sr. |
| *F |
Olivia Noah |
North Alabama |
Sr. |
| *F |
Day'Neshia Banks |
Stetson |
Sr. |
| G |
Breia Torrens |
Bellarmine |
Sr. |
| G |
Andrea Cecil |
FGCU |
Gr. |
| G |
Ashtyn Baker |
Liberty |
Sr. |
*Unanimous selection
HER HOOP STATS
Kierstan Bell has been selected as one of 15 players nationally to land a spot on the midseason watch list for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award, presented by Her Hoop Stats. The award, which is in its third year of existence, features a watch list that includes representation from 14 teams and 10 conferences. It is the same award that
Keri Jewett-Giles was named a semifinalist for last year.
EXPERIENCED TRIO
After losing its top seven scorers from last year, five of which went on to play professionally overseas, head coach
Karl Smesko had to find some players with Division I experience, and he did so with the additions of
Andrea Cecil (BGSU),
Kierstan Bell (Ohio State) and
Aaliyah Stanley (Eastern Michigan). The trio each started and averaged double-figure points per game for their previous schools. Cecil is a graduate transfer, while Bell and Stanley became eligible immediately after receiving transfer waivers.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE STREAK
Kierstan Bell became the first player in program history to open her FGCU career with back-to-back double-doubles. In fact, a total of just six players (including Bell twice) have combined for 10 instances of consecutive double-doubles in the program's Division I era. More recently, Bell produced four consecutive double-doubles, breaking Whitney Knight's record of three straight from February 2016.
EVERY FOUR YEARS
Maddie Antenucci, who started and scored a game-high 18 points in the season-opening win over Florida Memorial, became just the fourth true freshman in the program's Division I era to start the season's very first game, joining
Tytionia Adderly (2016), Katie Meador (2012) and Courtney Chihil (2008).
RARE GROUP
Tyra Cox, who finished with more steals than turnovers in each of her first two seasons with FGCU, is one of just eight players in program history with multiple such seasons, but her teammate holds the record for the most as
Alyssa Blair with three.
Here's the list of the eight:
Alyssa Blair - 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20
Courtney Chihil - 2008-09, 2011-12
Brittany Kennedy - 2011-12, 2012-13
DyTiesha Dunson - 2012-13, 2013-14
Whitney Knight - 2014-15, 2015-16
Jessica Cattani - 2015-16, 2017-18
Tytionia Adderly - 2017-18, 2019-20
Tyra Cox - 2018-19, 2019-20
EFFICIENT FROM LONG DISTANCE
Tyra Cox (11-for-24, .458),
Aaliyah Stanley (16-for-36, .444),
Kierstan Bell (24-for-60, .400) and
Alyssa Blair (16-for-40, .400) are all on pace to have a chance to join just 16 others in program history to shoot at least .400 from long distance with at least 30 made 3-pointers in a single-season.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE DUO
In the team's win over Davidson on Nov. 29,
Kierstan Bell (24 points, 20 rebounds) and
Emma List (11 points, 10 assists) became just the 10th duo in the program's Division I era to record a double-double in the same game.
RARE FEAT
Emma List's double-double vs Davidson (11 points, 10 assists) was just the fourth double-double in program history that didn't involve rebounds, joining Lisa Zderadicka (15 points, 10 assists vs UNF on Jan. 12, 2019), Courtney Chihil (14 points and 12 assists vs Indiana on Dec. 21, 2010) and current assistant coach
Shannon Murphy (11 points, 10 assists at USC Upstate on Feb. 28, 2011).
FUN WITH NUMBERS AND STUFF
| Double-Digit Assist Games |
| Player |
Season |
Career |
| Emma List |
1 |
1 |
THE WINNING DOESN'T STOP
FGCU lost more scoring and rebounding than any other team in the nation entering this year, but hasn't skipped a beat thanks to a mix of talented newcomers and increased production from their returners. Here's how the Eagles stack up in most lost production among major statistical categories against teams across the nation.
Scoring Lost
| FGCU |
90.1 percent |
| Norfolk State |
85 percent |
| UNLV |
83.9 percent |
| North Alabama |
73.1 percent |
Rebounding Lost
| FGCU |
86.5 percent |
| Norfolk State |
86 percent |
| UNLV |
84.1 percent |
| North Alabama |
79.3 percent |
Assists Lost
| Norfolk State |
89 percent |
| Western Kentucky |
84.5 percent |
| Eastern Kentucky |
83 percent |
| FGCU |
82.8 percent |
| North Alabama |
82.8 percent |
| Southern Utah |
81.2 percent |
| UNLV |
80.6 percent |
Steals Lost
| North Alabama |
79.2 percent |
| FGCU |
76 percent |
BOUNCING BACK
Since scoring just 18 points in the first two quarters combined against No. 24 Missouri State on Nov. 27, which featured the largest halftime deficit in program history (31), the Eagles have scored 20+ points in 10 of the 18 first-half quarters since, as well as 21 of the 38 quarters overall. The previous record for largest halftime deficit was 30, which came on Dec. 13, 2009 vs No. 21/24 Michigan State in East Lansing.
RARE LOSS
FGCU's 86-80 loss vs No. 14 Arkansas was the program's first when scoring at least 80 points since the 2014-15 season. The Eagles are now 107-4 all-time as a Division I program when scoring at least 80 points.
SUCCESSFUL VS AAC
Since the start of last season, FGCU is 6-0 against American Athletic Conference (AAC) teams, including the road win over UCF on Dec. 13. Last year, the Eagles defeated UCF at home (72-50), USF in Cancun (81-77), Houston on the road (57-45) and Temple on the road (93-67). This year, they have defeated Temple at home (78-69) in addition to UCF.
DEPTH SHINES
In FGCU's season-opening win over Florida Memorial, six players scored in double-figures, signaling just the sixth game in the program's Division I era with six-or-more in double-figures.
SMESKO'S PREPARATION
Coach Smesko's game preparation is one of the most crucial factors in the Eagles' all-time success. Overall, in 18+ seasons at FGCU, Smesko holds a record of 188-32 (.860) in games where he has four or more days to prepare.
STATE DOMINANCE
Entering this year, FGCU had won at least 20 more games over the past six seasons than any other Division I team in the state of Florida.
| 1. |
FGCU |
179 |
| 2. |
Florida State |
159 |
| 3. |
South Florida |
139 |
| 4. |
Miami |
129 |
| 5. |
Stetson |
114 |
| 6. |
Bethune-Cookman |
120 |
| 7. |
Jacksonville |
113 |
| 8. |
UCF |
105 |
| 9. |
Florida |
84 |
| 10. |
North Florida |
72 |
| 11. |
Florida Atlantic |
62 |
| 12. |
Florida A&M |
55 |
| 13. |
Florida International |
32 |
A FAMILIAR PLACE
Despite having to potentially replace more production than any women's basketball team in the nation, FGCU was tabbed to repeat as the ASUN regular season champion by the coaches and media this year. The Eagles collected five of the nine first-place votes in the coaches poll, while nabbing 23 of the 28 in the media poll, with Liberty and North Florida finishing second and third in each poll.
This year's predictions represent the ninth time the Eagles have been tabbed to win the crown by both the coaches and media polls since 2009-10. In 2012-13 and 2016-17, they were picked to win by the media only. FGCU was selected to finish 10th in its first season in the conference in 2007-08 and ultimately finished second by just one game. Then, in 2008-09, the Eagles were tabbed fifth before winning the first conference title in program history. Since then, the Green and Blue has compiled 10 regular season titles, all of which have come outright, including the past three in a row. Five of those titles have come in undefeated fashion, as well.
Preseason Media Poll
| Rk. |
Team (1st Place) |
Votes |
| 1. |
FGCU (23) |
243 |
| 2. |
Liberty (4) |
211 |
| 3. |
North Florida (1) |
172 |
| 4. |
North Alabama |
154 |
| 5. |
Jacksonville |
148 |
| 6. |
Stetson |
135 |
| 7. |
Lipscomb |
78 |
| 8. |
Kennesaw State |
77 |
| 9. |
Bellarmine |
46 |
Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rk. |
Team (1st Place) |
Votes |
| 1. |
FGCU (5) |
75 |
| 2. |
Liberty (1) |
71 |
| 3. |
North Florida (3) |
65 |
| 4. |
Stetson |
47 |
| 5. |
Jacksonville |
46 |
| 6. |
North Alabama |
36 |
| 7. |
Lipscomb |
29 |
| 8. |
Kennesaw State |
25 |
| 9. |
Bellarmine |
11 |
MID-MAJOR RANKINGS
FGCU is currently ranked No. 4 in the country in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll. Gonzaga, South Dakota State and Missouri State are 1-3, respectively, while South Dakota is ranked fifth.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARD
A large reason for the lack of returning experience on this year's team is that last year's squad has five players currently playing professionally overseas -
Keri Jewett-Giles (Wetterbygden/Sweden),
Nasrin Ulel (Uniao Sportiva/Portugal),
Tytionia Adderly (Fribourg/Switzerland),
Anja Marinkovic (Kraljevo/Serbia) and
Davion Wingate (Kraljevo/Serbia). Three others from previous years who are also playing include: Rosemarie Julien (RC Celta/Spain), Anthi Chatzigiakoumi (AEO Proteas Voulas/Greece) and Lisa Zderadicka (BK Duchess/Austria).
LEGENDARY LEADER
On pace to reach 600 career wins faster than legendary coaches such as Pat Summitt (734 games) and Tara VanDerveer (767 games), FGCU head coach
Karl Smesko has compiled a 563-124 record (.820) in his career, which ranks him as the third-winningest active Division I head coach behind Geno Auriemma (1,091-142, .885) and Kim Mulkey (604-101, .857). Furthermore, he passed VanDerveer (1,094-253, .812) in 2017-18 to become the fifth-winningest Division I head coach of all-time – behind Auriemma, Leon Barmore (576-87, .869), Mulkey and Summit (1,098-208, .841). If that isn't enough, he is the 10th-winningest active head coach across all divisions, as well as the 12th-winningest such coach all-time.
WINNINGEST OF ALL-TIME?
Head coach
Karl Smesko has FGCU on pace to shatter the NCAA's all-time Division I winning-percentage record by the end of the 2020-21 season as his team is one of only two in the nation along with Tennessee (.801) with at least an .800 all-time winning percentage. In fact, FGCU is 502-97 (.838) since the program's inception in 2002-03, which is easily the best winning percentage in the nation and also ahead of third-place UConn (.795), but the NCAA requires at least 10 years as a Division I program, and FGCU's four reclassification years (2007-11) do not count towards the 10-year minimum. Thus, Smesko and the Green and Blue are well on their way to becoming the NCAA's all-time winning percentage leader by the end of this season.
| # School |
1st Yr. |
Yrs. |
Record |
Pct. |
| * FGCU |
2002 |
18 |
493-95 |
.838 |
| 1. Tennessee |
1903 |
75 |
1,384-343 |
.801# |
| 2. UConn |
1975 |
46 |
1,182-304 |
.795 |
| 3. Stanford |
1975 |
46 |
1,118-340 |
.767 |
| 4. La. Tech |
1975 |
46 |
1,139-352 |
.764 |
| 5. Notre Dame |
1978 |
43 |
1,012-351 |
.742 |
| 6. Green Bay |
1974 |
47 |
1,024-363 |
.738 |
| 7. Texas |
1975 |
46 |
1,107-409 |
.730 |
| 8. Maryland |
1975 |
49 |
1,029-431 |
.705 |
| 9. SFA |
1969 |
52 |
1,103-463 |
.704 |
| 10. Old Dominion |
1967 |
51 |
1,084-459 |
.703 |
#Includes two ties
*Unofficial
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Over the past six seasons, FGCU produced 179 wins, which is the most among all mid-majors and seventh-most among any Division I program – behind UConn (212), Baylor (200), Mississippi State (186), Notre Dame (185), South Carolina (184) and Maryland (180). In fact, it puts them ahead of schools such as Louisville (178), Stanford (167), Oregon State (165) and Oregon (157). On top of that, the program is one of only five in the nation at the Division I level with four 30-win seasons during that stretch – joining UConn, Baylor, Notre Dame and South Carolina.
RARE AIR
The Eagles have registered a level of sustained success matched by only three other Division I schools as Coach Smesko has guided the Eagles to 10 straight 25-win seasons - an accomplishment only achieved by UConn and Baylor. FGCU has also recorded 16-straight 20-win seasons dating back to 2004-05.
RAINING THREES LEGACY
At FGCU, Smesko has turned FGCU into one of the premier 3-point shooting teams in the nation as his teams have made a combined 5,532-for-16,016 (.345) from long range over his 18+ years. In fact, the team has made at least one 3-point field goal in 486 straight games and went without at least one made in only one game in program history – Feb. 21, 2006 vs Lynn University (0-for-11). In 2019-20, the Eagles led the nation in 3-point field goals made (397), 3-point field goals attempted (1,155) and 3-point field goals per game (12.0). In 2017-18, the Green and Blue made an NCAA Division I single season record 431 3-pointers, which remains a record entering this season.
FGCU's Year-By-Year 3-Point History
| Year |
Made |
Att. |
Pct. |
| 2002-03 |
212 |
535 |
0.396 |
| 2003-04 |
118 |
406 |
0.291 |
| 2004-05 |
253 |
722 |
0.350 |
| 2005-06 |
242 |
747 |
0.324 |
| 2006-07 |
337 |
891 |
0.378 |
| 2007-08 |
255 |
734 |
0.347 |
| 2008-09 |
296 |
763 |
0.388 |
| 2009-10 |
317 |
876 |
0.362 |
| 2010-11 |
350 |
940 |
0.372 |
| 2011-12 |
342 |
925 |
0.370 |
| 2012-13 |
319 |
974 |
0.328 |
| 2013-14 |
347 |
1000 |
0.347 |
| 2014-15 |
327 |
928 |
0.352 |
| 2015-16 |
372 |
1194 |
0.312 |
| 2016-17 |
338 |
1058 |
0.319 |
| 2017-18 |
431 |
1190 |
0.362 |
| 2018-19 |
364 |
1111 |
0.328 |
| 2019-20 |
397 |
1155 |
0.344 |
| 2020-21 |
127 |
402 |
0.316 |
| Totals |
5532 |
16016 |
0.345 |
FGCU has also made at least 10 or more 3-point field goals in a single game 289 times, including a single-season record 25 times in 2017-18. They have at least 15 games with at least 10 or more in each of the past 12 seasons.
Games With 10+ 3-Point Field Goals
| 2002-03 |
6 |
| 2003-04 |
1 |
| 2004-05 |
11 |
| 2005-06 |
8 |
| 2006-07 |
18 |
| 2007-08 |
9 |
| 2008-09 |
15 |
| 2009-10 |
17 |
| 2010-11 |
18 |
| 2011-12 |
19 |
| 2012-13 |
15 |
| 2013-14 |
18 |
| 2014-15 |
20 |
| 2015-16 |
19 |
| 2016-17 |
18 |
| 2017-18 |
25 |
| 2018-19 |
20 |
| 2019-20 |
23 |
| 2020-21 |
9 |
| TOTAL |
289 |
On top of that, the 2017-18 team produced three of the program's seven games all-time with at least 20 or more, and the Eagles have added four games with 19 over the past two seasons. The program's single-game record of 22 was initially set on Jan. 12, 2013 in a 97-60 win over ETSU (22-for-43) on the road, and the 2017-18 team tied the mark at Abilene Christian (22-for-45) on Dec. 3 and at home against Lipscomb (22-for-44) on March 7. The latter represents the program's postseason mark, and they own three of the top seven single-game totals in NCAA Division I history entering the 2020-21 season. In fact, there has been only 30 times since 1988 that an NCAA Division I team had made at least 20 3-point field goals in a game, and FGCU owns seven of those, or 23.3 percent.
In 2019-20, FGCU became the first team in NCAA Division I women's basketball history to record five straight seasons with at least 1,000 3-point field goal attempts. Sacramento State achieved the yearly benchmark over four straight seasons from 2013-17, and DePaul will also carry a three-year streak into this year. The 2013-14 FGCU squad joined Sacramento State as the first two teams to attempt 1,000 in a season.
Prior to breaking the single-season record for made 3-point field goals in 2017-18, FGCU claimed a then single-season NCAA record 342 in 2011-12, which was the first year they were eligible for NCAA statistical championships. Had they been eligible in 2010-11, they also would have led the nation with 350 – 26 more than the second-place team. The 2009-10 team would have finished second. In fact, over the past nine years, the Green and Blue have finished among the nation's top five in made 3-point field goals every year, including three first-place finishes.
Total 3-Point Field Goals Made - National Finish
| Year |
Total |
Finish |
| 2011-12 |
342 |
1st |
| 2012-13 |
319 |
3rd |
| 2013-14 |
347 |
2nd |
| 2014-15 |
327 |
5th |
| 2015-16 |
372 |
2nd |
| 2016-17 |
338 |
3rd |
| 2017-18 |
431 |
1st |
| 2018-19 |
364 |
4th |
| 2019-20 |
397 |
1st |
| 2020-21 |
127 |
4th |
In addition to the aforementioned record, the 2011-12 team also set a then NCAA single season record for most 3-point field goals made per game at 10.7, and they followed it up in 2012-13 by making 9.4 per game, which was the most in the nation. In 2017-18, FGCU joined DePaul as the first two teams to eclipse 400 made 3-point field goals in a season in NCAA Division I history, and they remain the only two entering this year after last year's Green and Blue squad fell just three shy in a CoVID-19 shortened season. In fact, the Eagles stood out in the NCAA's deepest 3-point shooting year as eight teams averaged 10 or more made per game in 2017-18, which was equal to the total from the previous two seasons combined and the same as 2009-15 combined. Six teams reached the milestone in 2018-19 and four more followed last year. Among the 13 teams to average at least 10 or more made per game over a single season, FGCU is one of just three to do it at least four times – joining Sacramento State and Idaho.
3-Point Field Goals Per Game - National Finish
| Season |
Avg. |
Finish |
| 2020-21 |
11.5 |
1st |
| 2019-20 |
12.0 |
1st |
| 2018-19 |
11.0 |
2nd |
| 2017-18 |
12.0 |
2nd |
| 2016-17 |
9.7 |
5th |
| 2015-16 |
9.5 |
T-6th |
| 2014-15 |
9.6 |
3rd |
| 2013-14 |
10.2 |
2nd |
| 2012-13 |
9.4 |
1st |
| 2011-12 |
10.7 |
1st |
APPROACHING 3-POINT MILESTONE INSIDE ALICO ARENA
FGCU is 2,918-for-8,398 (.347) from the 3-point line inside Alico Arena all-time, putting the Eagles just 82 makes shy of reaching the 3,000 milestone.
| Year |
Made |
Att. |
Pct. |
| 2002-03 |
98 |
241 |
0.407 |
| 2003-04 |
59 |
207 |
0.285 |
| 2004-05 |
128 |
361 |
0.355 |
| 2005-06 |
147 |
455 |
0.323 |
| 2006-07 |
229 |
609 |
0.376 |
| 2007-08 |
131 |
365 |
0.359 |
| 2008-09 |
158 |
390 |
0.405 |
| 2009-10 |
154 |
418 |
0.368 |
| 2010-11 |
217 |
575 |
0.377 |
| 2011-12 |
158 |
415 |
0.381 |
| 2012-13 |
143 |
458 |
0.312 |
| 2013-14 |
167 |
470 |
0.355 |
| 2014-15 |
156 |
444 |
0.351 |
| 2015-16 |
215 |
676 |
0.318 |
| 2016-17 |
176 |
551 |
0.319 |
| 2017-18 |
216 |
581 |
0.372 |
| 2018-19 |
200 |
585 |
0.342 |
| 2019-20 |
194 |
586 |
0.331 |
| 2020-21 |
70 |
252 |
0.278 |
| Totals |
2,918 |
8,398 |
0.347 |
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.
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 563-124 (.819) 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 203-17 (.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 139-5 (.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. 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.
