FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU women's basketball completes NAIA week Sunday by hosting Ave Maria at 1 p.m. at Alico Arena.

FGCU welcomed New College of Florida to the nest Wednesday, the first of two NAIA programs this week, and scorched the Mighty Banyans 91-32 with 14 3-pointers. Alahna Paige was responsible for seven of the 14 triples on Wednesday.

The Eagles have played stifling defense all season long. FGCU has held seven of eight opponents to under 60 points en route to a top-25 scoring defense. The Green and Blue is ranked No. 16 overall in the category, allowing just 52.8 points per game. 

FGCU climbed up to No. 6 overall in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll. The Eagles have not dropped lower than No. 7 this season.

The Eagles are 6-0 all-time against the Ave Maria dating back to 2014. FGCU has scored over 100 points in three of the six meetings, averaging 99.5 points per game against the Gyrenes. Last season, the Green and Blue dropped 108 points to win 108-31 for the largest margin of victory in the series. Brylee Bartram set the FGCU single-game record with 10 3-pointers.

Ave Maria has also defeated New College of Florida this season, cutting down the Mighty Banyans 76-51 for a 25-point home victory. FGCU will aim to extend the nation's second-longest home win streak Sunday to 37 consecutive victories at Alico Arena.

The Green and Blue went a perfect 19-0 at home during the 2023-24 campaign, which included their eighth straight ASUN Tournament Championship run. The last FGCU home loss occurred Dec. 11, 2022, against Duke, nearly two years ago.

Since taking over for Karl Smesko, first-year head coach Chelsea Lyles is undefeated at the helm of the Eagles (6-2) with a perfect 6-0 record. Lyles is one of just two active DI women's basketball coaches to still have a perfect career record, joining Jen Jensen of Iowa now at 8-0.

Preseason ASUN Player of the Year Emani Jefferson leads the Eagles in scoring with 13.3 points per game. Maddie Antenucci is also averaging double digits at 10.8 points per game.

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).