FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball won its 37th consecutive home game Sunday with an 82-43 drumming of Ave Maria at Alico Arena.
FGCU (7-2) and Alico Arena are home to the nation's second-longest active home win streak. FGCU's last home loss occurred nearly two years ago, Dec. 11, 2022, against Duke. The Eagles improved to 5-0 at home this season in the win. First-year head coach Chelsea Lyles (7-0) remained the only undefeated coach in DI women's college basketball as Iowa's Jen Jensen suffered a 78-68 defeat to Tennessee Friday.
Three Eagles reached double figures in Sunday's team victory over the Gyrenes, and 12 different Eagles found the scoresheet. Khamari Mitchell-Steen led the way with 12. Cerina Rolle and Lauryn Taylor provided 11.
FGCU caught fire from behind the arc early. Five of FGCU's first nine made baskets were from distance. Casey Santoro hit a first-quarter trifecta to make it 16-2 Eagles just five minutes in, forcing an Ave Maria timeout. The Green and Blue finished with 11 3-pointers Sunday, third time this season with 10 or more.
FGCU dropped 32 points in the opening quarter, a season-high, to lead 32-8. The Eagles headed into the half up 25 points, 41-16. The Gyrenes held FGCU to just nine points in the second period, but the Green and Blue would lead by as many as 46 in the final quarter. FGCU scored 27 fast break points Sunday.
Defensively for the Eagles, FGCU entered the day with a Top 25 scoring defense, allowing just 52.8 points per game. FGCU lived up to its name by limiting Ave Maria to 43. The FGCU perimeter defense kept Ave Maria from connecting on its first made three well into the fourth quarter. The Gyrenes averaged 6.3 made 3-pointers per contest coming into the game.
FGCU will now enjoy an eight-day break before its next game on Monday, Dec. 16. The Eagles host Montana State at 6 p.m. for Ugly Sweater Night. Santa will also make an appearance at Alico Arena to take in the Eagles. FGCU Athletics will be accepting toy donations in the Alico Arena lobby, and fans that donate will go home with a limited-edition FGCU ornament.
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).
