FORT MYERS, Fla. – Khamari Mitchell-Steen scored a season-high 22 points Friday to silence the North Carolina A&T Aggies 79-48 at Alico Arena.
"We started the game slow, but I thought once we got it going, the defensive effort and execution was good," first-year head coach Chelsea Lyles said. "Another good test for us tomorrow against East Tennessee State."
Mitchell-Steen hit four triples in the third quarter to provide the separation. The Northern Kentucky transfer hit a 3-pointer on three consecutive trips down the court, pushing FGCU's lead to 47-28 and forcing an NC A&T timeout.
FGCU went 6-for-7 from beyond the arc in the third quarter alone. The Eagles finished the day with nine treys. FGCU (8-3) is 7-0 this season when the Eagles have hit eight or more trifectas.
Mitchell-Steen shot a perfect 4-for-4 from long range Friday, and her previous game high in the Green and Blue was 15 points which came against the New College of Florida. Three Eagles reached double figures Friday as both Dolly Cairns and Emani Jefferson added 12 points.
NC A&T (2-7) landed the first haymaker Friday, scoring the opening 11 points of the contest. Six-foot-four center and Fort Myers native Chaniya Clark knocked down the first four Aggie points. Cerina Rolle answered with the first FGCU bucket at the 5:43 mark. After one, the Aggies led the Eagles 18-14 as FGCU missed its first eight 3-pointers.
Carins would give FGCU its first lead of the day, 22-20, with a corner three 7:06 remaining in the second. FGCU outscored NC A&T 19-8 in the quarter and secured a seven-point lead heading into the break, 33-26.
Up 62-33 after three, the Green and Blue took a 29-point lead, the largest of the night, into the fourth quarter. FGCU would led by as many as 33 points in the final period.
FGCU outpaced the Aggies a combined 48-15 during the second and third quarters. Defensively, FGCU has held 10 of its 11 opponents this season to 58 points or less and now three to under 50 points.
The Green and Blue closes out the FGCU Classic on Saturday with Holiday Music Bingo against East Tennessee State at 3:30 p.m. ETSU defeated IU Indy 54-41 in game one of the Classic. Hot chocolate will be served at the FGCU concession stands.
Tickets start at just $12 for general admission. Eagles fans can create and select their own mini-plan of four-, six-, or nine-game packages starting at $44. For more information on single-game and season tickets, please click here or call the FGCU Ticket Office at 1-866-FGCU-TIX (866-324-8449).
