LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team made a strong fourth quarter push on Saturday night at the Resorts World Classic, but the comeback came up just short in a 74-70 loss to Troy. FGCU poured in 22 points in the final period and cut the margin to a single possession behind a career night from
Maca Retamales, but the Trojans held steady in the closing minutes to hold off the Eagles.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 2-4, 0-0 ASUN | Troy 7-1, 0-0 SBC
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 70 | Troy 74
LOCATION: Resorts World Events Center | Las Vegas, Nev.
First Quarter: FGCU opened the night with sharp offensive execution, getting early baskets from
Nay Staton and
Jalei Pillow before
Anna Mortag knocked down a three to keep the Eagles in rhythm.
Shameir Quimby added a strong finish inside, while
Maca Retamales provided a lift off the bench with timely scoring. Although both teams traded leads throughout the period, Troy closed with a late three to take a 22-18 advantage.
Second Quarter: The Eagles continued to stay aggressive, with Retamales finishing at the rim and Mortag connecting from deep to trim the deficit. The Eagles remained steady with good ball movement on offense and good rebounding on defense, but Troy's second-chance points and paint production maintained the Trojans' momentum. A late jumper brought the halftime score to 43-35 in favor of Troy.
Third Quarter: FGCU tightened defensively and generated key stops as
Sinai Douglas pushed the pace to create transition opportunities, as well as knocking down a big three to keep the Eagles within striking distance. Retamales continued to score effectively, but Troy's interior presence and offensive rebounding helped the Trojans carry a 56-48 lead into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: FGCU delivered its most explosive quarter of the game, storming back with 22 points behind a dominant performance from Retamales. Retamales took over offensively, attacking the rim, hitting key threes, and finishing with a career-high 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting, with four made threes. Douglas continued to orchestrate the offense, and FGCU repeatedly cut the margin to one possession. Despite the late surge, Troy converted timely shots and closed out the 74-70 decision.
Retamales' 29-point outburst led all scorers, while Douglas narrowly missed a triple-double with 9 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. FGCU posted 46 bench points and 32 points in the paint, shooting 26-for-57 from the field.
Head Coach
Raina Harmon - "I'm proud of our team's fight and effort. There's a lot to be encouraged by. We held them to 16% from 3, which shows how good we can be defensively when we're locked in. Offensively, we got good production! However, the difference tonight was the 17 offensive rebounds we gave up! Our effort is there, our defense is there and when we clean up the glass, we're going to be exactly where we want to be!"
The Eagles continue the road stretch of their nonconference schedule, as they travel to Jonesboro, Ark. to face Arkansas State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
To purchase tickets to any home FGCU game, please visit this
link, or call (866) 342-8849.
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