JONESBORO, Ark. – The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team came up short on Wednesday night at First National Bank Arena, falling 68-58 to Arkansas State.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 2-5, 0-0 ASUN | Arkansas State 6-3, 0-0 SBC
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 58 | Arkansas State 68
LOCATION: First National Bank Arena | Jonesboro, Ark.
First Quarter: FGCU opened efficiently, getting on the board with a layup from
Nay Staton before
Cerina Rolle and
Jalei Pillow generated second-chance opportunities on the offensive glass.
Anna Mortag added a jumper, and Staton scored at the line to help the Eagles maintain early rhythm. FGCU held Arkansas State to 14 points and carried a 16-14 lead into the second quarter.
Second Quarter: The Eagles continued to score consistently behind perimeter shooting and free throws. Mortag knocked down a three, Staton added another, and
Karina Gordon connected twice, back-to-back, from beyond the arc. FGCU also converted at the stripe, with Staton and
Sinai Douglas combining for key free throws to keep the offense steady. Despite the shooting burst, Arkansas State matched the Eagles' scoring and used second-chance opportunities to trim the margin, sending FGCU into halftime ahead 35-30.
Third Quarter: Arkansas State began to swing the momentum with defensive pressure, forcing turnovers that led to transition points. FGCU continued to battle, with Pillow scoring inside and Douglas and Mortag adding free throws, but the Red Wolves hit three triples in the period and outscored the Eagles 19-15. FGCU entered the fourth quarter up 50-49.
Fourth Quarter: The Red Wolves took full control in the final frame, using their defense to disrupt FGCU's offensive flow. The Eagles committed several turnovers that led directly to points the other way, while Arkansas State added two more threes to extend the lead.
Shameir Quimby and Mortag each attacked the paint for late baskets and a triple from Pillow, but FGCU managed only eight points in the quarter. Arkansas State closed the game on a 19-point fourth quarter to secure the 68-58 win.
The Eagles continue the road stretch of their nonconference schedule, as they travel to Boca Raton, Fla. to face Florida Atlantic University at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12.
To purchase tickets to any home FGCU game, please visit this
link, or call (866) 342-8849.
To stay up-to-date on the Eagles, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at FGCU_WBB.
