FORT MYERS, Fla. – Emani Jefferson and Lauryn Taylor provided double-double efforts Thursday to help Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball outlast Lipscomb 63-50 at Alico Arena to stay undefeated in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
"Glad we were able to pull out a win," head coach Chelsea Lyles said. "We had good defensive intensity for three quarters. We will need a full team effort for Saturday's game."
Rapid Recap:
FGCU began the night on a 9-0 run, showcasing its team speed. The Eagles held third-place Lipscomb to single-digit points in the first and second quarters, seven and nine points respectively. FGCU got after it early on the defensive side of the ball, scoring 10 points off turnovers in the opening period. At the half, FGCU led 31-16. The Green and Blue soon soared out to its largest lead of the night in the third quarter, leading by 19 up 35-16 as Taylor reached her fifth straight double-double benchmark with 7:35 left to play. Lipscomb's offense then came alive, finishing the period with 22 points. The Bisons used a 9-0 run to pull within 10, 35-25. Entering the fourth, Lipscomb had pulled to within six as the Eagles clung to a 44-38 lead. Lipscomb opened the final period with a corner three, cutting the Eagles' once 19-point lead to a single possession, 44-41. Enter Jefferson, Dolly Cairns and Casey Santoro. All three Eagles hit massive threes down the sketch to keep the Bisons at bay. Jefferson hit her second triple of the fourth quarter with 1:19 remaining, giving FGCU an eight-point 58-50 cushion. FGCU added five free throws in the final minute and closed the contest on an 8-0 run. Lipscomb never led Thursday.
Notes and Numbers:
- Jefferson finished with 21 points and a season-high 16 rebounds. Jefferson shot 3-for-4 from downtown. Taylor added 14 points and 12 rebounds in her fifth straight double-double performance, seventh of the season.
- First-place FGCU (18-3) secured its 11th straight victory Thursday to remain perfect in the ASUN Conference at 9-0. FGCU has won all nine conference games this season by double-digits and extended its conference win streak to 42 consecutive victories. FGCU improved to 36-0 all-time against the Bisons.
- The nation's sixth-best scoring defense has held 18 of 21 opponents this season to 58 points or less. FGCU has forced 10 or more turnovers in every game this season. FGCU shut down Lipscomb's leading average scorer Thursday, limiting Bella Vinson to just four points. Vinson was top 10 in the ASUN in points per game, 14.5, coming into the contest.
Up Next:
FGCU hosts Austin Peay at 4 p.m. Saturday for Homecoming and National Girls and Women's in Sports Day. Eagles fans are encouraged to wear blue for the BLUE OUT. Tickets start at just $12 for general admission. Eagles fans can create and select their own mini-plan of four or six-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).
