Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball opened Atlantic Sun Conference play Thursday with a 69-47 win at Jacksonville.

Tipoff in Jacksonville was initially scheduled for 6:30 p.m., but a power outage on the Dolphins' campus forced nearly a two-hour delay. FGCU and Jacksonville finally tipped off at 8:12 p.m. The delay did not faze the Eagles. FGCU won the opening tip and scored the game's first basket, needing only 14 seconds.

FGCU (11-4, 1-0 ASUN) has now won the last 16 meetings against Jacksonville (4-10, 0-1 ASUN) and extended its ASUN win streak to 23 consecutive victories against current members. 

"Emani and Uju had big games for us tonight," head coach Karl Smesko said. "We had a great start to the second half. Good win to start ASUN play."

Emani Jefferson emerged one rebound shy of a double-double preference with a season-high and a team-leading 19 points to go along with nine boards. Jefferson dished out six assists and snagged two steals. Uju Ezeudu added 18 points and eight rebounds. Ezeudu reached the double-figure mark just two minutes into the second period.

FGCU used a 13-2 run throughout the first and second period to take a 23-12 lead. The Dolphins swam strong against the FGCU current, trailing the Eagles by only eight points heading into the break 33-25.

The Eagles opened the third period on fire, draining back-to-back threes courtesy of Ajulu Thatha and Maddie Antenucci to force a Dolphins timeout just 68 seconds into the second half.

To end the third quarter, Kierra Adams corralled a rebound from a missed FGCU free throw attempt, and her putback fell through the hoop just as time expired. FGCU took a 17-point lead into the final period, 53-36.

Jefferson's second 3-pointer of the night put the Eagles ahead by an insurmountable 20 points, 60-40, with 5:23 left to play.

FGCU continues its three-game conference road slate Saturday at North Florida. Tipoff against the Ospreys is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
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