FORT MYERS, Fla. --- The FGCU women's basketball team (8-1) will conclude a three-day, two-game stretch by hosting Ave Maria University (6-5) inside Alico Arena on Saturday night at 7 p.m. It will be Ugly Christmas Sweater night.
The Eagles are coming off an 80-52 win over Palm Beach Atlantic on Thursday and will be facing Ave Maria for the fourth time in program history. FGCU is averaging 100.6 PPG in the previous three meetings, which took place in 2014, 2016 and 2017 and included a pair of 100-plus point performances.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Fort Myers continues to be the home for one of the nation's best scorers as junior guard
Kierstan Bell is averaging 24.8 PPG, which ranks just behind Delaware's Jasmine Dickey (25.6 PPG) for the nation's top spot.
| 1. |
Jasmine Dickey |
Delaware |
25.6 |
| 2. |
Kierstan Bell |
FGCU |
24.8 |
| 3. |
Destiny Leo |
Cleveland State |
24.2 |
| 4. |
Jennifer Coleman |
Navy |
23.3 |
| 5. |
Ayoka Lee |
Kansas State |
23.2 |
SPRAY LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY
Kendall Spray, who is 30-for-60 (.500) from 3-point range this year and 393-for-1,003 (.392) in her NCAA career, is chasing history along with Maryland's Katie Benzan as the duo climbs the list of the all-time best 3-point shooters in women's college basketball history. Entering this season, only eight players had recorded 400+ 3-pointers in a career. Benzan recently became the ninth, and Spray looks to become just the 10th. The duo comprises the top two spots for active NCAA players in 3-pointers made. The NCAA record for most in a career was set by Ohio State's Kelsey Mitchell with 497.
| Top 10 - NCAA Career 3-Point Field Goals Made |
| Name |
School |
Years |
Gms |
3's |
| Kelsey Mitchell |
Ohio St. |
2015-18 |
139 |
*497 |
| Taylor Pierce |
Idaho |
2016-19 |
135 |
472 |
| Jess Kovatch |
Saint Francis (Pa.) |
2016-19 |
130 |
472 |
| Darby Maggard |
Belmont |
2016-19 |
134 |
430 |
| Mikayla Ferenz |
Idaho |
2016-19 |
135 |
415 |
| Rachael Childress |
UAB |
2017-20 |
128 |
415 |
| Katelynn Flaherty |
Michigan |
2015-18 |
140 |
410 |
| Presley Hudson |
Central Mich. |
2016-19 |
133 |
407 |
| Katie Benzan |
Maryland |
2016-present |
126 |
403 |
| Kendall Spray |
FGCU |
2016-present |
130 |
393 |
BELL ON VERGE OF DOUBLE-DOUBLE HISTORY
Kierstan Bell, with her 19-point, 12-rebound double-double against Princeton, has compiled 20 double-doubles over just 34 games in an FGCU uniform, which already puts her just one shy of surpassing Sarah Hansen for sole possession of the program's Division I era record. Including her time at Ohio State, she has 22 career NCAA double-doubles.
| 1. |
Sarah Hansen |
20 |
|
Kierstan Bell |
20 |
| 3. |
Whitney Knight |
19 |
| 4. |
Ty Adderly |
14 |
| 5. |
Adrianne McNally |
6 |
BELL NABS HISTORIC ASUN POTW SELECTION, SPRAY GOES BACK-TO-BACK
Kierstan Bell earned her eighth career ASUN player of the week selection on Nov. 29, which surpassed Whitney Knight for most in program history and puts her tied for sixth-most in ASUN history.
| Player of the Week Awards - ASUN History |
| Albena Branzova |
FIU |
10 |
| Alysha Clark |
Belmont |
10 |
| Andrea Congreaves |
Mercer |
10 |
| Leslie McElrath |
Georgia State |
9 |
| Brianti Saunders |
Stetson |
9 |
| Kierstan Bell |
FGCU |
8 |
| Felecia Autry |
Campbell |
8 |
| Patechia Hartman |
Georgia State |
8 |
| Player of the Week Awards - FGCU History |
| Kierstan Bell |
8 |
| Whitney Knight |
7 |
| Keri Jewett-Giles |
6 |
| Sarah Hansen |
5 |
| Rosemarie Julien |
4 |
| Kaneisha Atwater |
4 |
Kendall Spray, who joined FGCU from Clemson in the offseason, got off to a hot start for the Eagles, claiming back-to-back ASUN newcomer of the week awards to open the season. The graduate senior went 14-for-24 (.583) from long distance while averaging 14.7 points and 4.3 rebounds along with one assist and one steal per game to start the year. Then, she averaged 18 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 11-for-15 from 3-point range the following week.
HISTORIC ENTRY, RISE IN AP TOP 25 POLL
Despite dropping just out of the top 25 earlier this week and into the top spot in the receiving votes section following their three-point loss to Princeton, FGCU entered the Associated Press national rankings on Nov. 23 at No. 25, which represented the earliest in a season the Eagles have been ranked in the poll, shattering the previous best of Feb. 16 by the 2014-15 team. Then, on Nov. 29, the Green and Blue moved up to 22nd in the poll, which not only represented the ninth time the team has been ranked, but it is their third-highest ranking in the poll. The 2014-15 team climbed as high as 20th in the final three polls of the season following entries at 21st and 22nd in late February.
| Eagles in the AP Poll (All-Time) |
| 11/29/21 |
No. 22 |
| 11/23/21 |
No. 25 |
| 3/15/21 |
No. 24 |
| 3/18/21 |
No. 24 |
| 3/16/15 |
No. 20 |
| 3/9/15 |
No. 20 |
| 3/2/15 |
No. 20 |
| 2/23/15 |
No. 21 |
| 2/16/15 |
No. 22 |
| AP Poll - Dec. 6, 2021 |
| 1. |
South Carolina (30) |
9-0 |
750 |
1 |
| 2. |
NC State |
8-1 |
708 |
2 |
| 3. |
UConn |
5-1 |
700 |
2 |
| 4. |
Stanford |
5-2 |
624 |
4 |
| 5. |
Baylor |
8-1 |
600 |
5 |
| 6. |
Arizona |
7-0 |
587 |
7 |
| 7. |
Louisville |
7-1 |
551 |
10 |
| 8. |
Maryland |
8-2 |
541 |
8 |
| 9. |
Tennessee |
8-0 |
529 |
11 |
| 10. |
Indiana |
5-2 |
526 |
6 |
| 11. |
Texas |
6-1 |
450 |
15 |
| 12. |
Iowa |
5-1 |
380 |
9 |
| 13. |
Michigan |
8-1 |
377 |
12 |
| 14. |
Kentucky |
6-1 |
350 |
16 |
| 15. |
Iowa State |
8-1 |
309 |
14 |
| 16. |
BYU |
8-0 |
275 |
21 |
| 17. |
South Florida |
5-3 |
230 |
13 |
| 18. |
Texas A&M |
8-1 |
229 |
17 |
| 19. |
Duke |
8-0 |
203 |
NR |
| 20. |
Ohio State |
6-1 |
150 |
18 |
| 21. |
Georgia |
7-1 |
112 |
20 |
| 22. |
Notre Dame |
7-2 |
90 |
24 |
| 23. |
Oregon State |
4-2 |
76 |
23 |
| 24. |
LSU |
6-1 |
64 |
NR |
| 25. |
Colorado |
8-0 |
52 |
NR |
Others receiving votes:
FGCU 51, Oregon 48, Florida State 40, North Carolina 32, Georgia Tech 29, UCLA 26, Gonzaga 15, Virginia Tech 11, Nebraska 11, West Virginia 7, Oklahoma 6, DePaul 4, Washington State 4, Missouri 3.
ENTRY INTO COACHES POLL
FGCU entered the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll at No. 22 on Nov. 30, receiving 94 votes. It was a jump from the previous week's poll where the Eagles sat in the receiving votes section with the 27th-most votes in the country. This week, the Eagles fell just out of the top 25 and into the top spot in the receiving votes section following the loss to Princeton.
Despite that, this year's Coaches Poll ranking signified FGCU's earliest entry into the poll, topping the Dec. 31 record that the 2019-20 team achieved, and it's the 23rd time over five different seasons they've been ranked in it. On top of that, it moved the Eagles just one spot of tying the program's record for their highest ranking in the poll, which was established by the 2020-21 and 2014-15 teams.
| USA Today Coaches Poll - Dec. 7, 2021 |
| 1. |
South Carolina |
9-0 |
800 |
| 2. |
Connecticut |
5-1 |
752 |
| 3. |
NC State |
8-1 |
748 |
| 4. |
Stanford |
5-2 |
688 |
| 5. |
Louisville |
7-1 |
669 |
| 6. |
Baylor |
8-1 |
611 |
| 7. |
Maryland |
8-2 |
574 |
| 8. |
Indiana |
6-2 |
572 |
| 9. |
Tennessee |
8-0 |
549 |
| 10. |
Arizona |
7-0 |
541 |
| 11. |
Michigan |
8-1 |
484 |
| 12. |
Texas |
6-1 |
451 |
| 13. |
Iowa |
5-1 |
383 |
| 14. |
Kentucky |
6-1 |
348 |
| 15. |
Texas A&M |
8-1 |
329 |
| 16. |
Iowa State |
8-1 |
316 |
| 17. |
Georgia |
7-1 |
219 |
| 17. |
Brigham Young |
8-0 |
219 |
| 19. |
South Florida |
5-3 |
158 |
| 20. |
Oregon State |
4-2 |
144 |
| 21. |
Ohio State |
6-1 |
131 |
| 22. |
Oregon |
4-3 |
122 |
| 23. |
Notre Dame |
7-2 |
100 |
| 24. |
North Carolina |
8-0 |
88 |
| 25. |
UCLA |
5-2 |
66 |
Others receiving votes:
FGCU 59; Gonzaga 54; Duke 50; Georgia Tech 39; Colorado 32; Central Florida 20; Florida State 18; Oklahoma 14; Virginia Tech 13; Washington State 9; Kansas State 6; Nebraska 6; West Virginia 6; LSU 5; Long Beach State 3; Coastal Carolina 2; Missouri State 1; Princeton 1.
SUCCESS AS A RANKED TEAM
FGCU is 30-5 all-time as a ranked team in either the Associated Press or Coaches Poll. As a ranked AP top 25 team, the Eagles are 13-3 all-time.
| DATE |
|
OPPONENT |
RESULT |
RANK |
AP |
COACHES |
OVERALL |
| 2/19/15 |
A |
Kennesaw State |
W, 71-60 |
22/24 |
1-0 |
1-0 |
1-0 |
| 2/21/15 |
A |
USC Upstate |
W, 75-59 |
22/24 |
2-0 |
2-0 |
2-0 |
| 2/25/15 |
A |
North Florida |
W, 56-24 |
21/22 |
3-0 |
3-0 |
3-0 |
| 2/28/15 |
H |
Jacksonville |
W, 78-47 |
21/22 |
4-0 |
4-0 |
4-0 |
| 3/6/15 |
H |
North Florida |
W, 74-35 |
20/21 |
5-0 |
5-0 |
5-0 |
| 3/11/15 |
H |
Jacksonville |
W, 62-42 |
20/21 |
6-0 |
6-0 |
6-0 |
| 3/15/15 |
H |
Northern Kentucky |
W, 60-43 |
20/21 |
7-0 |
7-0 |
7-0 |
| 3/21/15 |
N |
Oklahoma State |
W, 75-67 |
20/21 |
8-0 |
8-0 |
8-0 |
| 3/23/15 |
A |
No. 7/7 Florida State |
L, 47-65 |
20/21 |
8-1 |
8-1 |
8-1 |
| 2/1/18 |
A |
North Florida |
L, 73-75 |
X/25 |
8-1 |
8-2 |
8-2 |
| 2/3/18 |
A |
Jacksonville |
W, 65-63 |
X/25 |
8-1 |
9-2 |
9-2 |
| 1/4/20 |
H |
Lipscomb |
W, 82-56 |
X/25 |
8-1 |
10-2 |
10-2 |
| 1/6/20 |
H |
Liberty |
W, 64-57 |
X/25 |
8-1 |
11-2 |
11-2 |
| 1/11/20 |
A |
Stetson |
W, 89-47 |
X/25 |
8-1 |
12-2 |
12-2 |
| 1/13/20 |
A |
North Florida |
W, 72-50 |
X/25 |
8-1 |
13-2 |
13-2 |
| 2/1/20 |
A |
Liberty |
W, 74-65 |
X/24 |
8-1 |
14-2 |
14-2 |
| 2/3/20 |
A |
Jacksonville |
W, 81-68 |
X/24 |
8-1 |
15-2 |
15-2 |
| 2/8/20 |
H |
North Florida |
W, 76-65 |
X/24 |
8-1 |
16-2 |
16-2 |
| 2/10/20 |
H |
Stetson |
W, 67-65 |
X/24 |
8-1 |
17-2 |
17-2 |
| 2/15/20 |
A |
Lipscomb |
W, 78-45 |
X/22 |
8-1 |
18-2 |
18-2 |
| 2/17/20 |
A |
Kennesaw State |
W, 89-64 |
X/22 |
8-1 |
19-2 |
19-2 |
| 2/22/20 |
A |
NJIT |
W, 68-39 |
X/22 |
8-1 |
20-2 |
20-2 |
| 2/29/20 |
H |
North Alabama |
L, 55-61 |
X/23 |
8-1 |
20-3 |
20-3 |
| 3/2/20 |
H |
Jacksonville |
W, 77-64 |
X/23 |
8-1 |
21-3 |
21-3 |
| 3/7/20 |
H |
Lipscomb |
W, 105-71 |
X/24 |
8-1 |
22-3 |
22-3 |
| 3/11/20 |
H |
North Florida |
W, 73-57 |
X/24 |
8-1 |
23-3 |
23-3 |
| 3/5/21 |
H |
Liberty |
W, 80-60 |
X/24 |
8-1 |
24-3 |
24-3 |
| 3/6/21 |
H |
Liberty |
W, 65-50 |
X/24 |
8-1 |
25-3 |
25-3 |
| 3/11/21 |
N |
Jacksonville |
W, 87-62 |
24/21 |
9-1 |
26-3 |
26-3 |
| 3/12/21 |
N |
Lipscomb |
W, 59-44 |
24/21 |
10-1 |
27-3 |
27-3 |
| 3/14/21 |
N |
Liberty |
W, 84-62 |
24/21 |
11-1 |
28-3 |
28-3 |
| 3/21/21 |
N |
No. 16/14 Michigan |
L, 66-87 |
24/21 |
11-2 |
28-4 |
28-4 |
| 11/26/21 |
N |
Tennessee Tech |
W, 81-69 |
25/X |
12-2 |
28-4 |
29-4 |
| 11/27/21 |
N |
Saint Louis |
W, 73-65 |
25/X |
13-2 |
28-4 |
30-4 |
| 12/1/21 |
H |
Princeton |
L, 55-58 |
22/22 |
13-3 |
28-5 |
30-5 |
LINDY'S PRESEASON RANKINGS
FGCU was ranked 24th in the Lindy's preseason top 25 poll.
1. UConn
2. South Carolina
3. Stanford
4. Maryland
5. Baylor
6. Louisville
7. NC State
8. Indiana
9. Iowa
10. Michigan
11. Oregon
12. Iowa State
13. Kentucky
14. Oregon State
15. Florida State
16. West Virginia
17. Ohio State
18. South Florida
19. Tennessee
20. Georgia Tech
21.Virginia Tech
22. Michigan State
23. Texas A&M
24. FGCU
25. UCLA
MID-MAJOR RANKINGS
With the team's hot start, FGCU jumped Missouri State for the No. 1 spot in the first regular season CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll and extended its stranglehold on the top spot three weeks ago. Last week, though, BYU jumped the Eagles, who were slotted second in the preseason poll in early November. This week, the Green and Blue are third after their first loss of the season.
| Rk |
Team (1st Place Votes) |
Record |
Votes |
Previous |
Conference |
| 1. |
BYU (30) |
7-0 |
774 |
1 |
West Coast |
| 2. |
Missouri State (1) |
5-2 |
743 |
3 |
Missouri Valley |
| 3. |
FGCU |
7-1 |
699 |
2 |
ASUN |
| 4. |
Gonzaga |
7-1 |
688 |
4 |
West Coast |
| 5. |
Stephen F. Austin |
8-1 |
657 |
5 |
Western Athletic |
| 6. |
Princeton |
6-2 |
601 |
8 |
Ivy League |
| 7. |
California Baptist |
5-1 |
540 |
6 |
Western Athletic |
| 8. |
Columbia |
8-2 |
477 |
11 |
Ivy League |
| 9. |
Stony Brook |
7-1 |
465 |
7 |
America East |
| 10. |
Drake |
5-2 |
453 |
15 |
Missouri Valley |
IN THE WAITING ROOM
The Eagles were named a team "in the waiting room" by ESPN.com on the week of Dec. 1. After ranking the top 16 teams nationally, FGCU was one of just three teams in the "waiting room" along with Georgia and Ohio State. For the full article, visit
here.
ROAD STREAKING
With the team's Nov. 14 road win over LSU, FGCU tied a program-record by pushing its nation-best road winning streak to 22 straight. The streak, which began Dec. 4, 2019, matches the streak set from Dec. 14, 2014 to Feb. 27, 2016, and it's currently over twice as long as any other team nationally.
| 1. |
FGCU |
22 |
| 2. |
Ball State |
10 |
| 3. |
Columbia |
9 |
|
Indiana |
9 |
| 5. |
Louisiana |
8 |
In terms of streaks, the Eagles also currently have the third-longest conference winning streak (22) in the country behind UConn (44) and Princeton (26).
FGCU VS THE MAAC
With the wins over Manhattan and Fairfield in the ASUN/MAAC Challenge, the Green and Blue are now 7-1 all-time against the MAAC with the most familiar opponent being Quinnipiac, which lost two of three against FGCU between 2014-16. The Eagles are also 1-0 against Rider (2009) and 2-0 against Siena (2016-17).
11/28/09 - W, 78-46 vs Rider (Alico Arena)
12/29/14 - W, 71-65 vs Quinnipiac (Philadelphia, Pa.)
12/28/15 - W, 71-70 vs Quinnipiac (Alico Arena)
11/11/16 - L, 66-56 vs Quinnipiac (Hamden, Conn.)
12/9/16 - W, 66-42 vs Siena (Alico Arena)
11/20/17 - W, 63-50 vs Siena (Loudonville, N.Y.)
11/19/21 - W, 88-57 vs Manhattan (Orlando, Fla.)
11/20/21 - W, 83-61 vs Fairfield (Orlando, Fla.)
GEAUX EAGLES
FGCU produced an 88-74 win over LSU on the road Nov. 14. It was the sixth all-time win against an SEC team for the Eagles, their 19th over a Power 5 school overall and just the second all-time win over a Power 5 school in a true road game (Virginia Tech, 2012). On top of that, it was the program's largest-ever win over a Power 5 team on the road, its seventh overall double-digit win over a Power 5 and the first such double-digit win on the road.
The previous double-digit wins over Power 5 teams for FGCU is as follows:
12/21/11 - 69-41 over Virginia Tech (Alico Arena)
11/28/14 - 86-61 over Clemson (U.S. Virgin Islands)
3/21/16 - 67-48 over Wake Forest (Alico Arena)
11/12/17 - 85-61 over Illinois (Alico Arena)
3/17/18 - 80-70 over Missouri (Stanford, Calif.)
12/29/19 - 78-56 over Duke (Alico Arena)
10 FOR 10
Kierstan Bell's 10 rebound game against LSU was the 10th such performance in program history against a Power 5 team.
| 3/18/10 |
Chelsea Lyles |
Miami (Fla.) |
10 |
| 11/19/11 |
Sarah Hansen |
Michigan State |
13 |
| 12/16/12 |
Brittany Kennedy |
Virginia Tech |
11 |
| 3/22/14 |
Whitney Knight |
Oklahoma State |
11 |
| 11/29/14 |
Jenna Cobb |
Ohio State |
15 |
| 3/21/15 |
Whitney Knight |
Oklahoma State |
10 |
| 12/8/17 |
Tytionia Adderly |
Kentucky |
11 |
| 11/28/19 |
Tytionia Adderly |
Notre Dame |
14 |
| 12/19/19 |
Tytionia Adderly |
LSU |
10 |
| 11/14/21 |
Kierstan Bell |
LSU |
10 |
APPROACHING 400/300
The Eagles are 395-78 (.835) since beginning the program's Division I transition in 2007-08. Since becoming a full-fledged, postseason-eligible Division I team in 2011-12, FGCU is 295-53 (.848), which means the Green and Blue captured an even 100 wins during its four-year transition.
AIN'T IT (15) GRAND?
In the team's win over Manhattan in the ASUN/MAAC Challenge, FGCU eclipsed 15,000 field goals made in program history (2002-present). They are now 15,159-for-35,522 (.427) all-time.
NEVER TOO EARLY FOR BRACKETOLOGY
In Joe Lunardi's latest "Bracketology," the noted bracket expert has FGCU as a No. 6 seed in College Park taking on the winner of a play-in game between Ole Miss and UCF in the round of 64. The second-round opponent would be either No. 3 Maryland or No. 14 Elon. For the full version, visit
here.
STREAKING THRU THE REGULAR SEASON
Despite having it snapped against Princeton, the Green and Blue achieved a Division I era program-record 29-game winning streak from Nov. 29, 2020 to Dec. 1, 2021. It is also the second-longest overall regular season streak in program history behind the Division II era Eagles, which won 45 straight between Dec. 29, 2005 and March 3, 2007.
BEST IN NCAA HISTORY
FGCU entered the 2021-22 season with an all-time winning percentage of .841, the highest among all Division I institutions. In fact, the Eagles are the only Division I team above .800 as Tennessee sits in second at .799.
| # |
School |
1st Yr. |
Yrs. |
Record |
Pct. |
| 1. |
FGCU |
2002-03 |
19 |
519-98 |
.841 |
| 2. |
Tennessee |
1902-03 |
67 |
1,401-351 |
.799 |
| 3. |
UConn |
1974-75 |
47 |
1,210-306 |
.798 |
| 4. |
Stanford |
1974-75 |
47 |
1,149-342 |
.771 |
| 5. |
La. Tech |
1974-75 |
47 |
1,153-362 |
.761 |
| 6. |
Notre Dame |
1977-78 |
44 |
1,022-361 |
.739 |
| 7. |
Green Bay |
1973-74 |
48 |
1,039-370 |
.737 |
| 8. |
Texas |
1974-75 |
47 |
1,128-419 |
.729 |
| 9. |
Maryland |
1971-72 |
50 |
1,055-434 |
.709 |
| 10. |
SFA |
1968-69 |
53 |
1,127-466 |
.707 |
STATE DOMINANCE
FGCU has won nearly 40 more games over the past seven-plus seasons than any other Division I team in the state of Florida.
| 1. |
FGCU |
213 |
| 2. |
Florida State |
175 |
| 3. |
South Florida |
162 |
| 4. |
Miami |
146 |
| 5. |
Stetson |
129 |
| 6. |
UCF |
127 |
| 7. |
Bethune-Cookman |
122 |
| 8. |
Jacksonville |
123 |
| 9. |
Florida |
103 |
| 10. |
North Florida |
91 |
| 11. |
Florida Atlantic |
77 |
| 12. |
Florida A&M |
55 |
| 13. |
Florida International |
50 |
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Entering this year, FGCU produced 205 wins over the past seven seasons, which is the most among all mid-majors and fifth-most among any Division I program – behind UConn (240), Baylor (228), South Carolina (210) and Maryland (206). In fact, it puts them ahead of schools such as Louisville (204), Mississippi State (196), Notre Dame (195), Stanford (199), Oregon State (177) and Oregon (172). 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.
FAMILIAR PLACE
Behind a team stacked with experience, the Eagles were tabbed to repeat as the ASUN regular season champion by the coaches and media this year. It represents the 10th time FGCU has 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. The Green and Blue 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 12 regular season titles, all of which have come outright, including the past four in a row. Seven of those titles have come in undefeated fashion, as well.
| ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll |
| Place |
Team (1st-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
FGCU (12) |
144 |
| 2. |
North Florida |
128 |
| 3. |
Liberty |
119 |
| 4. |
Lipscomb |
99 |
| 5. |
Stetson |
93 |
| 6. |
Jacksonville State |
70 |
| 7. |
Kennesaw State |
65 |
| 8. |
Central Arkansas |
50 |
| 9. |
North Alabama |
47 |
| 10. |
Eastern Kentucky |
45 |
| T11. |
Bellarmine |
38 |
| T11. |
Jacksonville |
38 |
| ASUN Preseason Media Poll |
| Place |
Team (1st-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
FGCU (20) |
262 |
| 2. |
Liberty |
232 |
| 3. |
North Florida (2) |
210 |
| 4. |
Jacksonville State |
158 |
| 5. |
Lipscomb |
156 |
| 6. |
Stetson |
140 |
| 7. |
Central Arkansas |
136 |
| 8. |
North Alabama |
112 |
| 9. |
Eastern Kentucky |
96 |
| 10. |
Kennesaw State |
82 |
| 11. |
Bellarmine |
78 |
| 12. |
Jacksonville |
54 |
On top of that,
Kierstan Bell was picked to repeat as the ASUN's player of the year while
Tishara Morehouse joined Bell on the preseason all-conference team. North Florida's Jazz Bond was the pick for preseason defensive player of the year.
| ASUN Preseason All-Conference Team |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown |
Academic Major |
| G |
Kierstan Bell |
FGCU |
Jr. |
Alliance, Ohio |
Integrated Studies |
| F |
*Lucy Ibeh |
Central Arkansas |
Jr. |
Lagos, Nigeria |
Dietics |
| G |
Tishara Morehouse |
FGCU |
Sr. |
Milwaukee, Wis. |
Psychology |
| G |
*Marissa Mackins |
North Florida |
Sr. |
Durham, N.C. |
Criminal Justice |
| G |
Amani Johnson |
Kennesaw State |
Sr. |
North Versailles, Pa. |
Accounting |
| F |
Alexis Poole |
Kennesaw State |
Sr. |
Ellenwood, Ga. |
Elementary Education |
| C |
Mya Berkman |
Liberty |
Jr. |
Marble Falls, Texas |
Accounting |
| G |
Jaida Bond |
North Florida |
Jr. |
Murfreesboro, Tenn. |
Biology |
| F |
Jazz Bond |
North Florida |
Sr. |
Murfreesboro, Tenn. |
Interdisciplinary Studies |
| G |
Yazz Wazeerud-Din |
Stetson |
Sr. |
Marietta, Ga. |
Sport Business |
| * - Denotes unanimous selection |
RARE AIR
The Eagles have registered a level of sustained success matched by only two other Division I schools as Coach Smesko has guided FGCU to 11 straight 25-win seasons. Baylor and UConn are the only other teams to have 11 straight. FGCU has also recorded 17-straight 20-win seasons dating back to 2004-05.
THREE-POINT DEFENSE SUCCESS
The Eagles not only shine from behind the arc on offense but are also one of the top teams in the nation in three-point defense. Through eight games, Eagles' opponents are shooting just 22.7 percent from distance which is the 20th-best in the country and includes an 0-11 performance by Temple on Nov. 12, which is the most missed 3-pointers with a make by an FGCU opponent in the program's Division I era. It was also the second time the Eagles haven't allowed a 3-pointer in the last six years.
RARE TERRITORY
Tyra Cox finished last season with more steals than turnovers, her third straight season accomplishing the feat for FGCU. She became just the second player in program history with three such seasons but will have to do it one more time to catch her former teammate,
Alyssa Blair, who did it all four years for the Green and Blue.
| Alyssa Blair |
2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 |
| Tyra Cox |
2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 |
| 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 |
| Ty Adderly |
2017-18, 2019-20 |
| Emma List |
2020-21 |
| Andrea Cecil |
2020-21 |
| Seneca Hackley |
2020-21 |
EXTREME CARE
The Eagles take care of the ball like few else in NCAA women's basketball. Every single player on the team had a positive assist to turnover ratio last year as the team ranked third nationally at 1.48 in 2020-21.
Emma List ranked 41st in the country individually at 2.21.
SMESKO'S PREPARATION
Coach Smesko's game preparation is one of the most crucial factors in the Eagles' all-time success. Overall, in 19+ seasons at FGCU, he holds a record of 198-33 (.857) in games where he has four or more days to prepare, including the most recent such game against Palm Beach Atlantic.
RESPECT FROM ESPN
Kierstan Bell was named the 16th-best and 19th-best player in the country by ESPN.com in the preseason.
The website had this to say about Bell in April, where she was ranked 16th:
Despite being a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman team in 2019-20 at Ohio State, Bell left Columbus for Fort Myers. And coach
Karl Smesko's well-spaced, 3-point shooting-based offense and Bell appear to be a perfect fit. She ranked sixth in the country in scoring and third in 3-point attempts. Bell stepped onto a team that had lost 90 percent of its scoring from the year before and still led the Eagles to a fourth straight ASUN title, and the second in three seasons with an unbeaten conference record.
The website had the following to say about Bell in November, where she was ranked 19th:
In her first year in Fort Myers, Bell posted the best season in FGCU history while taking home every ASUN award possible. The only player from a mid-major to make our top 25, Bell is one of the most complete players in college basketball. She can score from 3, take a defender off the dribble in the half court or start her own one-person fast break by grabbing a defensive rebound (Bell was sixth in the nation in defensive rebounds per game) or blocking a shot (19th in the nation in total blocks).
In the same November report, Debbie Antonelli's scouting report of Bell said:
- Power/point forward and double-double machine
- Dangerous in open floor with ability to score or make play for a catch-and-shoot kick out
- Stat sheet stuffer with endless energy
For the full November rankings, visit
here. For the April rankings, visit
here.
NUMBERS DON'T LIE
Offensively, FGCU is:
486-49 all-time when scoring 60+ points
353-18 all-time when scoring 70+ points
186-5 all-time when scoring 80+ points
78-0 all-time when scoring 90+ points
23-0 all-time when scoring 100+ points
Defensively, FGCU is:
80-0 all-time when allowing 40 points or fewer
245-1 all-time when allowing 50 points or fewer
400-19 all-time when allowing 60 points or fewer
505-53 all-time when allowing 70 points or fewer
524-81 all-time when allowing 80 points or fewer
526-95 all-time when allowing 90 points or fewer
527-98 all-time when allowing 100 points or fewer
ONE DOUBLE-DOUBLE AFTER ANOTHER
Last year,
Kierstan Bell became the first player in program history to open her FGCU career with back-to-back double-doubles. Since then, she has recorded six instances of consecutive double-doubles as an Eagle, including four with at least three straight. She has already added a three-game streak this year.
BELL MAKES HISTORY WITH DUAL AWARD SELECTION
Last year,
Kierstan Bell headlined the ASUN's postseason awards by becoming the first player in the conference's 36-year history to be tabbed both the player and newcomer of the year.
Tishara Morehouse joined Bell on the first team, while
Seneca Hackley was named to the all-freshmen team.
Karl Smesko was tabbed coach of the year for the 11th time.
BELL, MOREHOUSE NAMED TO MID-MAJOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Kierstan Bell and
Tishara Morehouse were named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Preseason Watch List in October. Bell is the reigning recipient of the award. This year's watch list includes 22 schools and 13 conferences, while FGCU joined Missouri State and South Dakota as the only schools with multiple players on the list.
Here's the full watch list:
Dariauna Lewis, Alabama A&M
Destinee Wells, Belmont
Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green
Gabi Haack, Bradley
Dyaisha Fair, Buffalo
Shaylee Gonzales, BYU
Caitlyn Harper, Cal Baptist
Jasmine Dickey, Delaware
Grace Berg, Drake
Kierstan Bell, FGCU
Tishara Morehouse, FGCU
Haley Cavinder, Fresno State
Jenson Edwards, High Point
Macee Williams, IUPUI
Ameshya Williams, Jackson State
Kiki Jefferson, James Madison
Akila Smith, Longwood University
Megan Walstad, Milwaukee
Brice Calip, Missouri State
Jasmine Franklin, Missouri State
Cece Hooks, Ohio
Stephanie Visscher, SFA
Chloe Lamb, South Dakota
Hannah Sjerven, South Dakota
Myah Selland, South Dakota State
BELL NAMED TO SEVERAL PRESTIGIOUS WATCH LISTS
Kierstan Bell, a junior guard who had the best season in program history in 2020-21 en route to earning Honorable Mention All-American recognition from the AP, WBCA and USBWA, has carried that momentum into this year.
Ann Meyers Drysdale Watch List
Bell was named one of just 20 players nationally to earn a spot on the list, which recognizes the top shooting guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. Players can play their way on or off the list. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list. For the full release, visit
here.
John R. Wooden Preseason Top 50 Watch List
Bell also made this list, which is chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts. It honors the early front-runners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All American Team and Most Outstanding Player Award. For the full release, visit
here.
Wade Watch List
This 30-player list, which is presented to the best player in college women's basketball by the WBCA, featured Bell, who is the only mid-major player featured. For the full release, visit
here.
Naismith Award Watch List
Bell also made this list, which features 50 of the nation's premier players chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club board of selectors comprised of head coaches, administrators and media members across the U.S. For the full watch list, visit
here.
BELL NAMED TO NCAA STARTING 5 FOR THIRD TIME
After her tremendous start to the season,
Kierstan Bell was named to the NCAA's Starting 5 on Nov. 17, which recognizes the top five players nationally from the previous week. It was the third time in her career that she earned the honor, including Dec. 30 and Feb. 24 of last year.
Bell led the Eagles to three wins that week, including a home win over Temple and a road win over LSU by averaging 26.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, four assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Other selection to the starting 5 included Portland's Lucy Cochrane, Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes, Kansas State's Ayoka Lee and LSU's Khayla Pointer, who had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against FGCU along with a triple-double in her other game.
BELL REACHES 1,000 CAREER POINTS
With a 3-pointer just under five minutes into the second half against Temple on Nov. 12,
Kierstan Bell joined the NCAA's 1,000 point club. In 65 career games, which includes her time at Ohio State in 2019-20, the Buckeye State native has now produced 1,181 points, or 18.2 per contest. In 34 games at FGCU alone, she has 855 points, or 24.4 per game.
TRIO WITH 1,000
With
Kierstan Bell joining the 1,000-point club, FGCU now has three such players with that accomplishment on this year's roster as she joins
Kendall Spray (1,636) and
Andrea Cecil (1,042). Others could join the club, as well, as the next closest players are
Kaela Webb (832),
Kerstie Phills (829) and
Tishara Morehouse (605).
AMONG THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY
Among active NCAA players,
Kendall Spray and
Kierstan Bell each rank among the nation's best in one or more categories.
Spray, in fact, is on her way to finishing her career among the NCAA's top all-time career 3-point shooters. She enters this week just nine shy of reaching 400 in her career with her current total of 391 ranking second among active players behind Maryland's Katie Benzan (400). Both are potentially chasing Ohio State's Kelsey Mitchell's all-time career record of 497. On top of that, Spray ranks 18th among active players with 1,624 career points, third in 3-point field goals per game (3.03), 21st in 3-point percentage (.393), 25th in games played (129), 29th in field goals made (547), 24th in field goal attempts (1,330), first in 3-point attempts (996) and second in 3-point attempts per game (7.72).
Bell, meanwhile, ranks 41st among active players in double-doubles with 22, which includes her time at Ohio State. Her 1,163 career points checks in 129th among all active players while her 18.2 PPG over two-plus seasons ranks 10th-best.
DISHING IT OUT
Tishara Morehouse, who is averaging 12.2 points per game, is averaging a team-best 4.8 assists per game, which ranks her 61st in the nation. Meanwhile,
Emma List is just behind her with 4.3 per game.
COME ONE, COME ALL
The Eagles have 11 players on this year's roster that transferred in from another school, topping the previous program record of 10 set in 2018-19. Three players previously played at a JUCO, two players competed at a JUCO and a Division I school before coming to FGCU and eight of them transferred after strictly playing at another Division I.
SMESKO'S RECORD PACE
FGCU women's basketball head coach
Karl Smesko, who entered this season with a 580-125 record in 21 seasons as a head coach, is on pace to reach 600 career victories faster than legendary coaches such as Pat Summitt (734 games), Tara VanDerveer (767 games) and C. Vivian Stringer (785 games). At his current rate, Smesko would rank among the 10 fastest coaches - of all divisions - to reach 600.
NCAA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS (TOP 100)
| Assist/Turnover Ratio |
Emma List (67th, 2.27), Tishara Morehouse (78th, 2.15) |
| Total Assists |
Tishara Morehouse (49th, 43) |
| Assists/Game |
Tishara Morehouse (61st, 4.8) |
| Total Blocks |
Kierstan Bell (80th, 13) |
| Defensive Rebounds/Game |
Kierstan Bell (17th, 7.7) |
| Double-Doubles |
Kierstan Bell (22nd, 4) |
| Field Goal Attempts |
Kierstan Bell (6th, 175) |
| Field Goals Made |
Kierstan Bell (2nd, 89) |
| Field Goal Percentage |
Kierstan Bell (92nd, .509) |
| Total Points |
Kierstan Bell (3rd, 223) |
| Free Throw Attempts |
Kierstan Bell (78th, 43) |
| Points/Game |
Kierstan Bell (2nd, 24.8) |
| Total Rebounds |
Kierstan Bell (73rd, 76) |
| Rebounds/Game |
Kierstan Bell (98th, 8.4) |
| 3-PT FGs Attempted |
Kierstan Bell (18th, 70), Kendall Spray (44th, 60) |
| 3-PT FGs Made |
Kendall Spray (8th, 30) |
| 3-PT FGs Made/Game |
Kendall Spray (10th, 3.33) |
| 3-PT FG Percentage |
Kendall Spray (14th, .500) |
NCAA TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS (TOP 50)
| Assist to Turnover Ratio |
11th, 1.41 |
| Total Assists |
14th, 168 |
| Assists/Game |
13th, 8.7 |
| Field Goal Percentage |
39th, .453 |
| Scoring Margin |
18th, 21.4 |
| Scoring Offense |
17th, 80.3 |
| Total Steals |
36th, 98 |
| Steals/Game |
43rd, 10.9 |
| 3-Point FG Defense |
28th, 23.5 |
| 3-Point FGs Attempted |
2nd, 313 |
| 3-Point FGs Made |
3rd, 100 |
| 3-Point FGs Made/Game |
4th, 11.1 |
| Turnover Margin |
11th, 7.22 |
| Fewest Turnovers/Game |
30th, 13.1 |
| W/L Percentage |
18th, .889 |
FUN WITH NUMBERS
| Double-Digit Assist Games |
| Player |
Season |
Career |
| Emma List |
0 |
1 |
RAINING THREES LEGACY
At FGCU, Smesko has turned FGCU into one of the premier 3-point shooting teams in the nation. In fact, the Eagles have made at least one 3-point field goal in 512 straight games (504 entering this year), which includes every game in the program's Division I era. In 2020-21, the Eagles led the nation in 3-point field goals made (343), 3-point field goals attempted (1,030) and 3-point field goals per game (11.8) for the second season in a row. 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.
Here's 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 |
343 |
1030 |
0.333 |
| 2021-22 |
100 |
313 |
0.319 |
| Totals |
5848 |
16957 |
0.345 |
FGCU has also made at least 10 or more 3-point field goals in a single game over 300 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 13 seasons.
Here's a list of FGCU's all-time games with at least 10 made 3-pointers:
| 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 |
22 |
| 2021-22 |
6 |
| TOTAL |
308 |
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 three 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 2021-22 season. In fact, there has been only 32 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 21.9 percent.
In 2020-21, FGCU became the first team in NCAA Division I women's basketball history to record six 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 while DePaul's three-year streak ended last season. 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 10 years, the Green and Blue have finished among the nation's top five in made 3-point field goals every year, including four first-place finishes.
Here's how FGCU has finished nationally in total 3-point field goals made since 2011-12, including where the team ranks this year.
| 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 |
343 |
1st |
| 2021-22 |
100 |
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. 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, four more followed in 2019-20, and five more a season ago. Among the 17 teams to average at least 10 or more made per game over a single season, FGCU is the only school to do it six times.
Here's how FGCU has finished nationally in total 3-point field goals made per game since 2011-12, including where they rank so far this year.
| Season |
Avg. |
Finish |
| 2021-22 |
11.1 |
4th |
| 2020-21 |
11.8 |
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 |
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 588-126 (.824) overall in his career, which is the third-highest winning percentage among active Division I coaches behind only UConn's Geno Auriemma and Baylor's Kim Mulkey. He has also led the Eagles to a 217-17 (.927) mark in ASUN regular season play and a 27-2 (.931) record in ASUN tournament play. Over the past 10 seasons, he has guided FGCU to a 153-5 (.968) record in conference play with six undefeated seasons. The 11-time ASUN Coach of the Year has led the program to 11-straight 25-win seasons and 17-consecutive 20-win campaigns, including 30-plus wins in four of the past seven years. On top of all that, the Eagles are 527-99 (.842) all-time since Smesko started the program in the 2002-03 season, and the Green and Blue's .842 all-time winning percentage is the best in NCAA Division I women's basketball history.
#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/adminservices/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 85 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 42 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Eight FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including women's basketball (No. 21, 2020-21), beach volleyball (No. 20, 2021) 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 3.50 GPA in the classroom in the fall 2020 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for 23 consecutive semesters. The 2019 Fall, 2020 Spring, and 2020 Fall 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.
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