| FGCU Women's Basketball Information |
| Games 14, 15 |
No. 29 FGCU (11-2, 4-0 ASUN) at Stetson (4-5, 2-2 ASUN) |
| Date | Time |
Friday, Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. | Saturday, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. |
| Location |
DeLand, Fla. | J. Ollie Edmunds Center |
| Tickets |
Stetson Ticket Office - Phone (386 738-4287) |
| Live Statistics |
Sidearm (same link for both games) |
| TV |
ESPN+ (Friday | Saturday) | Evan Weston (PxP) | Victor Alexander (Color) |
| Game Notes |
FGCU (PDF) | Stetson (PDF) | ASUN (PDF) |
| Twitter |
@FGCU_WBB |
| Instagram |
@FGCU_WBB |
| Facebook |
FGCU Women's Basketball |
DELAND, Fla. - Several streaks will be on the line this weekend as the No. 29 FGCU women's basketball team (11-2, 4-0 ASUN) hits the road to face Stetson (4-5, 2-2). The two teams will open the series on Friday at 5 p.m. before concluding things on Saturday at 3 p.m. inside the Edmunds Center.
Both games are slated to air on ESPN+ with Evan Weston on play-by-play and Victor Anderson providing color commentary. Fan attendance will be capped at 50 people max.
STREAKS ON THE LINE
The Green and Blue will enter this weekend having won 10 straight overall. They have also won 15 straight on the road dating back to last year, which is the nation's second-longest streak behind South Carolina (20). On top of that, FGCU has won 22 straight on the road against ASUN teams.
SERIES HISTORY
FGCU is 27-4 all-time against Stetson and will carry a seven-game series winning streak into this weekend dating back to a 77-70 win in the 2017 ASUN tournament title game. Going further back, the Eagles have won 16 of the past 17 in the series and are 12-2 on the road against the Hatters.
STETSON QUICK HITTERS
- Each of Stetson's past two ASUN wins have come as the result of fourth quarter comebacks. The Hatters trailed by eight (with 2:30 to go) vs UNF and came back to win 78-76 in overtime. Stetson also trailed Bellarmine by seven at the start of the fourth quarter and came back to win 71-67.
- Yazz Wazeerud-Din currently leads the ASUN in free throw percentage both overall (.862) and in ASUN only games (.941). She has made 16-of-17 free throws in ASUN play, including the past 16 in a row.
- As a team, the Hatters lead the ASUN and rank 39th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.754).
- So far this season, Stetson is averaging 7.9 3-pointers-per-game. That total ranks 46th in the NCAA and is three more triples-per-game than the team averaged last season.
- Head Coach Lynn Brian is in her 13th season with the Hatters and 26th season overall. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Bria holds a Stetson record of 226-168 (.574).
- Tonysha Curry leads the team and ranks fifth in the ASUN in rebounding (7.3 RPG)
- Yazz Wazeerud-Din has scored in double figures in five straight games.
- The Hatters are averaging 71.5 points in conference play.
- Stetson has outscored opponents by 20 points in fourth quarters this season (+16 in ASUN play)
- Four of the last six games (and three straight) have been decided by 7 points or less.
- Stetson has won 86 consecutive games when scoring 74 points or more (3-0 this season)
- The Hatters are 3-0 when leading at the half and 4-1 when outrebounding its opponent
500 IN THE REAR VIEW
FGCU is now 504-97 (.839) 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
Kierstan Bell's dominant start to the season continued this past weekend as she produced a pair of double-doubles in a set of wins over Lipscomb inside Alico Arena. In doing so, the Buckeye State native not only has her third stretch of back-to-back double-doubles this year, but she now has eight double-doubles overall, which ties FGCU's single-season record also held by
Sarah Hansen (2012-13) and
Whitney Knight (2015-16), and Bell has achieved the standard in just a 10-game span.
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 |
The sophomore forward produced a game-high 29 points along with 12 rebounds and two assists in a 103-49 win on Saturday in what was FGCU's largest margin of victory over a Division I team in program history. She followed that up with 16 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in Sunday's 92-48 victory. In doing so, she was named the ASUN's newcomer of the week for the fifth time this season, which ties
Ashli O'Neal's single-season record and moves her within one of matching the conference's all-time mark.
On top of that, Bell not only leads the conference in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, but she is the only player in the country ranked among the top 20 in all three of those categories. She checks in 16th in scoring at 22.3 per game, 17th in rebounding at 11.3 per game and 18th in blocks at 2.6 per game.
Nationally, Bell also ranks among the nation's top 75 in several other categories.
- Defensive rebounds per game - 3rd, 9.4
- Double-doubles - 11th, 8
- 3-point field goals made per game - 9th, 3.2
- Field goal percentage - 26th, 55.6
- Total blocks - 32nd, 26
- 3-point field goals made - 45th, 32
- Field goals made - 57th, 89
- 3-point field goal percentage - 48th, 42.7
- Total rebounds - 64th, 113
Bell, 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. She has seven games with at least 20 points, eight games with at least 10 rebounds, five games with at least three blocks and five 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 five ASUN newcomer of the week awards.
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
The lightning to Bell's thunder, junior guard
Tishara Morehouse is the second-leading scorer in the conference at 19.5 per game. In fact, the duo currently makes FGCU one of just two schools in the nation, along with Ohio University, to feature two players currently ranked among the top 40 scorers in the country.
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 scored in double-figures in 11 of her 12 games this year, which includes four 25-point plus performances. In conference play alone, she is averaging an ASUN-best 23.8 points over four contests.
NCAA STATS AND RANKINGS LEADERS
NCAA Individual Statistical Leaders (Top 100)
Total Blocks -
Kierstan Bell (32nd, 26)
Blocks Per Game -
Kierstan Bell (18th, 2.6)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game -
Kierstan Bell (3rd, 9.4)
Double-Doubles -
Kierstan Bell (11th, 8)
Field Goal Attempts -
Tishara Morehouse (95th, 178)
Field Goals Made -
Kierstan Bell (57th, 89),
Tishara Morehouse (59th, 87)
Field Goal Percentage -
Kierstan Bell (26th, 55.6),
Tishara Morehouse (97th, 48.9)
Total Points -
Tishara Morehouse (62nd, 234),
Kierstan Bell (77th, 223)
Points Per Game -
Kierstan Bell (16th, 22.3),
Tishara Morehouse (36th, 19.5)
Total Rebounds -
Kierstan Bell (64th, 113)
Rebounds Per Game -
Kierstan Bell (17th, 11.3)
3-Point FGs Attempted -
Tishara Morehouse (79th, 79)
3-Point FGs Made -
Kierstan Bell (45th, 32)
3-Point FGs Made Per Game -
Kierstan Bell (8th, 3.2)
3-Point FG Percentage -
Kierstan Bell (48th, 42.7)
NCAA Team Statistical Leaders (Top 50)
Assist to Turnover Ratio - 12th, 1.33
Total Assists - 45th, 212
Assists Per Game - 39th, 16.3
Defensive Rebounds Per Game - 22nd, 30.3
Scoring Margin - 10th, 21.4
Scoring Offense - 16th, 81.6
3-Point FG Defense - 5th, 22.7
3-Point FGs Attempted - 2nd, 472
3-Point FGs Made - 3rd, 155
3-Point FGs Made Per Game - 1st, 11.9
Turnover Margin - 29th, 5.00
Fewest Turnovers Per Game - 14th, 12.2
W/L Percentage - 27th, 84.6
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 JOINS 100-GAME CLUB
In the series finale against Lipscomb on Jan. 24,
Alyssa Blair became just the 16th player in program history to have played at least 100 career games in the Green and Blue.
ASUN ROUNDUP
| Place |
Team |
Overall |
ASUN |
| 1. |
Liberty |
10-3 |
6-0 |
| 2. |
FGCU |
11-2 |
4-0 |
| 3. |
North Florida |
6-7 |
4-2 |
|
North Alabama |
5-10 |
4-2 |
| 5. |
Stetson |
4-5 |
2-2 |
| 6. |
Lipscomb |
5-7 |
2-4 |
| 7. |
Kennesaw State |
5-5 |
1-5 |
|
Bellarmine |
1-10 |
1-5 |
| 9. |
Jacksonville |
2-7 |
0-4 |
Weekend Series Schedule
Friday, Jan. 29
FGCU at Stetson, 5 PM
Saturday, Jan. 30
Kennesaw State at Bellarmine, 2 PM
Jacksonville at Liberty, 2 PM
FGCU at Stetson, 3 PM
North Florida at North Alabama, 3 PM
Sunday, Jan. 31
Kennesaw State at Bellarmine, 2 PM
Jacksonville at Liberty, 2 PM
North Florida at North Alabama, 3 PM
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
| Season |
W |
L |
| 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 |
2 |
0 |
| Record |
108 |
3 |
FGCU vs the ASUN
Regular Season Play
| Season |
W |
L |
| 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 |
4 |
0 |
| Record |
205 |
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.
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 |
372 |
76 |
0.830 |
| North Alabama |
47 |
28 |
0.627 |
| Liberty |
46 |
30 |
0.605 |
| Stetson |
235 |
188 |
0.556 |
| Jacksonville |
216 |
199 |
0.520 |
| North Florida |
155 |
249 |
0.384 |
| Kennesaw St. |
150 |
245 |
0.380 |
| Lipscomb |
92 |
309 |
0.229 |
| Bellarmine |
1 |
10 |
0.000 |
ASUN Regular Season Play (Since 2007-08)
Among ASUN Schools (Since 2007-08)
| School |
W |
L |
Pct. |
| FGCU |
205 |
17 |
0.923 |
| North Alabama |
25 |
13 |
0.658 |
| Liberty |
27 |
11 |
0.711 |
| Stetson |
134 |
90 |
0.598 |
| Jacksonville |
121 |
101 |
0.545 |
| Kennesaw St. |
85 |
139 |
0.379 |
| North Florida |
86 |
138 |
0.384 |
| Lipscomb |
52 |
172 |
0.232 |
| Bellarmine |
1 |
5 |
0.000 |
Most ASUN Regular Season Titles
All-Time (Since 1985-86)
| 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 |
|
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 three times) have combined for 12 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. She currently has two straight entering the Stetson series.
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
Aaliyah Stanley (20-for-46, .435),
Tyra Cox (12-for-28, .429) and
Kierstan Bell (32-for-75, .427) each 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 12 of the 20 first-half quarters since, as well as 28 of the 46 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 111-4 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 189-32 (.860) in games where he has four or more days to prepare.
STATE DOMINANCE
FGCU has won at least 20 more games over the past six seasons than any other Division I team in the state of Florida.
| 1. |
FGCU |
190 |
| 2. |
Florida State |
164 |
| 3. |
South Florida |
149 |
| 4. |
Miami |
136 |
| 6. |
Bethune-Cookman |
120 |
| 5. |
Stetson |
118 |
| 7. |
Jacksonville |
115 |
| 8. |
UCF |
114 |
| 9. |
Florida |
93 |
| 10. |
North Florida |
78 |
| 11. |
Florida Atlantic |
65 |
| 12. |
Florida A&M |
55 |
| 13. |
Florida International |
39 |
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.
| Rk. |
Team (1st Place Votes) |
Record |
Votes |
Prev. |
Conference |
| 1 |
Gonzaga (28) |
12-2 |
769 |
1 |
West Coast |
| 2 |
South Dakota State (1) |
13-2 |
730 |
2 |
Summit |
| 3 |
Missouri State (1) |
9-2 |
716 |
3 |
Missouri Valley |
| 4 |
FGCU (1) |
11-2 |
678 |
4 |
ASUN |
| 5 |
South Dakota |
11-2 |
660 |
5 |
Summit |
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).
Four others from previous years who are also playing include: Whitney Knight (Ceyhan Belediyespor/Turkey), 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 565-124 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 504-97 (.839) 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 |
504-97 |
.839 |
| 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 5,560-for-16,086 (.346) from long range over his 18+ years. In fact, the team has made at least one 3-point field goal in 488 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 |
1,000 |
0.347 |
| 2014-15 |
327 |
928 |
0.352 |
| 2015-16 |
372 |
1,194 |
0.312 |
| 2016-17 |
338 |
1,058 |
0.319 |
| 2017-18 |
431 |
1,190 |
0.362 |
| 2018-19 |
364 |
1,111 |
0.328 |
| 2019-20 |
397 |
1,155 |
0.344 |
| 2020-21 |
155 |
472 |
0.328 |
| Totals |
5,560 |
16,086 |
0.346 |
FGCU has also made at least 10 or more 3-point field goals in a single game 291 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 |
11 |
| TOTAL |
291 |
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 |
155 |
3rd |
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 |
11.9 |
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 2,946-for-8468 (.348) from the 3-point line inside Alico Arena all-time, putting the Eagles just 54 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 |
98 |
322 |
0.304 |
| Totals |
2946 |
8468 |
0.348 |
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 565-124 (.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 205-17 (.922) mark in ASUN regular season play and a 24-2 (.923) record in ASUN tournament play. Over the past nine-plus seasons, including this year, he has guided FGCU to a 141-5 (.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.
--
FGCUATHLETICS.COM--
