FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball gifted beloved mascot Azul a birthday victory Saturday, defeating Eastern Kentucky 82-69 at Alico Arena.
"We beat a really good team today," head coach Karl Smesko said. "Uju and Sofia had really good games."
The Eagles extended three win streaks. FGCU (19-4, 9-0 ASUN) has won 12 straight games, not having yet lost in 2024, and is still undefeated in conference play. FGCU defended its home court for its 24th consecutive win at the nest, the nation's third-longest active home win streak. The Green and Blue has now also won 31-straight against current ASUN members, further improving the nation's longest active conference win streak.
FGCU exploded with 29 points in the opening quarter, shooting 75 percent from the field to obtain a 10-point lead. The first-quarter cushion the Eagles built loomed large as the game progressed. EKU outscored FGCU in the second period, and Eagles outpaced the Colonels by just two points in the third and fourth periods as EKU switched to a zone defense to disturb FGCU's driving lanes and backdoor passes.
FGCU countered with 10 made threes to keep its consistent lead, the 10th game this season in which the Eagles have made 10 or more from behind the arc. The Eagles led by nine at the break (43-34), and improved to an 11-point spread heading into the final period (65-54) - the closest a scrappy EKU would ever get.
FGCU led by as many as 16 in the fourth before winning by 13. Defensively, FGCU held EKU under its season scoring average of 71.5. Entering the day, Eastern Kentucky possessed the second-best offense in the ASUN, just behind the Eagles.
Emani Jefferson and Uju Ezeudu combined to produce more than half of the Eagles' offensive production on Saturday. Jefferson paved the way with 22 points, and Ezeudu dropped 21. Ajulu Thatha contributed a season-high 16 points.
Sofia Persson caught fire from distance, shooting 50 percent with four made threes. Persson finished with 14 points and emerged as the fourth Eagle to reach double figures Saturday.
FGCU returns to the court Thursday to host Central Arkansas at Alico Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
