Maddie Antenucci recorded a career-high 19 points in Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball 67-51 loss at No. 21 USC Friday in Los Angeles, California.
Antenucci's previous career high was 18 against Florida Memorial during the 2020-21 season, her freshman campaign. She rattled home three from deep and went 6-for-11 from the field. Antenucci finished a perfect 4-for-4 from the line Friday night.
"Maddie played an outstanding game," head coach Karl Smesko said. "We had some bright spots, but our offensive execution wasn't very good. We have to move the ball more and set better screens."
FGCU made an early statement in LA by soaring out to a 9-0 run. USC would fight back to obtain a 10-9 lead and orchestrated a 25-5 run to further take a 25-14 lead with 5:00 minutes left in the second period.
USC held a three-point advantage after the first period and pulled out to a 14-point lead at the break, 33-19. FGCU mustered just eight points in the second quarter.
The Eagles responded with a few adjustments coming out of the half. FGCU returned the favor in a game of runs with an 11-0 spurt to draw within five at 35-30 courtesy of a Casey Santoro three. Santoro made her first career start in the Green & Blue Friday.
FGCU would not pull any closer as USC surged back out to a 20-point advantage, 38-58, heading into the fourth. With 9:08 remaining, the Trojans acquired their largest lead of the night at 24 points.
Rayah Marshall and Juju Watkins turned in a combined 36 points for USC, both dropping 18 apiece. USC's length and size forced FGCU into a season-high 20 turnovers, however the Eagles outrebounded the Trojans 39-34.
FGCU struggled from deep, shooting a chilly 27.3 percent from downtown. The Green & Blue drained just six of its 22 3-point attempts.
Ten different Eagles scored in Southern California. Uju Ezeudu added six points and corralled a team-leading 11 rebounds.
FGCU returns to the court Tuesday, Nov. 14 for its home opener versus Florida International University at 7 p.m. in Alico Arena.
