FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball survived a defensive battle Saturday, defeating Austin Peay 45-35 at Alico Arena on Homecoming.
"Thought our defensive intensity was good," head coach Chelsea Lyles said. "We have to continue to get better, as our schedule doesn't get any easier."
Rapid Recap:
FGCU (19-3) struggled to find its footing when contested shots did not fall. FGCU started the game 1-for-7 from the field and shot 33 percent for the day. In turn, FGCU limited the Governors to 31 percent on their side of the court. Dolly Cairns put the Eagles on the board with a corner three, but FGCU would only make two more treys the rest of the way, a season-low in a win. Austin Peay used a mini 6-0 run to take a 6-3 lead with 4:31 remaining in the first quarter. Emani Jefferson drew a foul with 0.9 seconds in the first quarter to claw out a 13-9 lead through the first 10 minutes of play.
A Jefferson bucket at the rim would soon make it 17-9 as FGCU opened the second with the first four points. Heading into the break, FGCU found itself in an impending 40-minute battle, just up by three 25-22. Austin Peay edged FGCU in paint points in the first half, 14-10.
The Eagles locked in even more on the defensive side of the ball coming out of the half, keeping the Governor scoreless in the third quarter. Austin Peay missed all 11 shots and four free throws in the period. For the day, FGCU forced Austin Peay into 20 turnovers. FGCU managed to add 12 points in the third to slowly climb out to a 15-point advantage, 37-22. Going into the final period. FGCU's 15-point lead would soon dwindle to six, 39-33, as Austin Peay capitalized on a pull-up jumper sparked by a FGCU turnover. With 1:39 left and time of the Eagles' side, Cairns finished a strong take to the hoop to put FGCU up eight, 41-33, and out of reach for the ice-cold Governors. FGCU mustered just enough offense to get the job done as Austin Peay outscored the Eagles 13-8 in the fourth.
Notes and Numbers:
- Jefferson finished with a game-high 19 points. Khamari Mitchell-Steen provided 10, while Lauryn Taylor grabbed 11 rebounds. Taylor's streak of five straight double-doubles came to an end with six points.
- FGCU secured its 12th straight win Saturday and 43rd consecutive victory against ASUN opponents to remain perfect in league play this season at 10-0.
- Forty-five points is a season-low offensive output for FGCU, also a season-low for Austin Peay. Defensively, FGCU has held two opponents to under 40 points this season, New College and now Austin Peay. The Eagles flexed the nation's fourth-best scoring defense in the country Saturday, which allowed just 52.2 points per game coming into the contest.
- The Eagles have defeated each conference opponent this season by double-digits, keeping the streak alive Saturday winning by 10.
- A season-high 2,399 fans witnessed FGCU prevail on Homecoming. FGCU also improved to 5-0 all-time in the series against Austin Peay.
Up Next:
Undefeated FGCU travels to Louisville, Kentucky, next Thursday, Feb. 6 to face Bellarmine. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
