FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball delivered an 80-55 senior-night victory over Jacksonville Saturday at Alico Arena to post an undefeated season in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
"I'm really appreciative of all the efforts our seniors have put in, not only this year but their whole time here." head coach
Karl Smesko said. "They all are really good players and really good people to be around. I'm glad we get to celebrate with a win today."
FGCU produced a perfect 16-0 record in the ASUN, the seventh time in program history that the Eagles have emerged unblemished in league play. The Eagles won all 16 conference games by double digits, with the smallest margin of victory being 11 and the largest being 42 points for an average of a dominating 24.5 points.
FGCU also went undefeated at home, going 15-0 to protect the nest. The streaks do not stop there. FGCU defeated Jacksonville for the 17th time in a row. The Eagles (26-4) are now winners of 19 straight, have won 29 consecutive games at home and 38 straight against current ASUN member institutions.
The Green and Blue started five seniors on Saturday.
Sofia Persson,
Shekinah Guthrie,
Kierra Adams,
Brylee Bartram and
Uju Ezeudu each earned the starting nod from coach Smesko to kick off the senior night celebration.
Three Eagles reached double figures as Ezeudu paced all FGCU scorers with 17 points, her 19th game of the season with 10 or more points. Jefferson and Persson produced 16 points apiece in the rout and season sweep of the in-state Dolphins.
The Dolphins swam ahead first for an 11-4 lead early in the opening period. At the end of one, FGCU battled back to lead by two, 18-16. The Eagles held Jacksonville to nine points in the second and muscled their way out to a 10-point lead, 35-25, heading into the break. FGCU is a perfect 25-0 this season when leading at halftime.
Back on the floor, the Green and Blue produced 28 points in the third quarter and stifled JU even further in the fourth, surrendering only eight points.
FGCU now awaits the winner of the No. 9 Jacksonville/No. 10 Bellarmine First Round matchup in the ASUN Quarterfinals on March 9 at Alico Arena.
