FORT MYERS, Fla. - Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball aims to return to the win column Thursday as the Eagles welcome Gardner-Webb to Fort Myers for the first time.

Tip-off in Alico Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the matchup will be streamed on ESPN+.

All students, faculty and staff are free with a valid Eagle I.D. Wear your ugly sweater for your chance to win a $50 Target gift card. Students will receive vouchers for free popcorn and chips. The FGCU Athletics Toy Drive continues, benefiting Heroes Unmasked & the San Carlos Fire Department.

FGCU struggled from distance in its latest outing Sunday, dropping a defensive battle at undefeated Old Dominion, 55-42. The Eagles went a combined 1-for-24 from deep. Both Sofia Persson and Ajulu Thatha eclipsed 1,000 career points in the loss.

The Green & Blue has led the nation in made 3-pointers for four connective seasons, but currently ranks No. 23 in the category with 9.1 per game. 

FGCU is 2-0 all-time against the Runnin' Bulldogs dating back to 2008. Thursday will mark the first meeting in 14 years and the first-ever matchup in Fort Myers. The Eagles edged Gardner-Webb in two close previous battles, one by four points at a neutral site venue in New York and the other by 11 points on the road in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. 

Gardner-Webb went 29-5 and a perfect 18-0 in the Big South last season en route to a conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. However, in 2023, the Runnin' Bulldogs are 0-7.

Despite going 1-1 last week, FGCU still received four votes in the latest AP poll, good enough for a four-way tie for 35th overall.

Fifth year senior Uju Ezeudu has produced a team-leading 13.3 points per game with two double-double performances this season. Senior Dolly Cairns has collected not one but two ASUN Newcomer of the Week honors.

FGCU is the only mid-major program with four straight Top 25 finishes in the AP Poll over the last four seasons. The Green & Blue has finished in the Top 25 in five out of the last six years.

FGCU, South Carolina, Stanford and UConn are the only four D-I programs to record 30 or more wins in three of the last five seasons. The Eagles went 33-4 a season ago – winning its 13th ASUN Conference regular season title and 10th ASUN Tournament Championship, along with capturing its fourth NCAA Tournament win.