FORT MYERS, Fla. – Alahna Paige dropped a season-high 23 points Wednesday as FGCU women's basketball dominated New College of Florida from start to finish for a 91-32 victory at Alico Arena.
"I was happy with our effort, especially in the second half," first-year head coach Chelsea Lyles said. "Kaelyn's defensive intensity really got us going."
FGCU (6-2) forced 34 turnovers Wednesday and scored 43 points off those miscues. Freshman Kaelyn Flowers swiped a team-high six steals. FGCU held NCF to single-digit points in three of the four quarters. This season, the Eagles have held seven of eight opponents to 60 points or less in stifling defensive efforts.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Eagles took care of the rock by limiting their turnovers to just three. The Eagles knocked down a season-high 14 3-pointers Wednesday. The previous season-high was 10 against Georgetown. Paige connected on seven of FGCU's 14 triples.
Four different Eagles reached double digits Wednesday as Paige led the way with 23. Khamari Mitchell-Steen produced a season-high 15 points. Karina Gordon added her season-high 13, while Lauryn Taylor had 10. Emani Theodule scored her first points in an Eagles uniform. Jordan Campbell drained two trifectas.
The Eagles used a 30-point third quarter to blow the game open. FGCU soared into the final period up 46, winning 68-22. FGCU would lead by as many as 61 points in the final period.
FGCU scored the first nine points Wednesday and led the Mighty Bayans 22-8 after one. FGCU's lowest offensive output occurred in the second period with 16 points. The Green and Blue closed the first half on an 11-0 run to obtain a 38-15 advantage at the break.
In the win, FGCU extended the nation's second-longest active home win streak to 36 games. Coach Lyles remains undefeated at the helm of the Eagles, improving to 6-0 after taking over for Karl Smesko.
Lyles and company return to action Sunday to host Ave Maria. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
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