FORT MYERS, Fla. – Lauryn Taylor and Kaelyn Flowers scored season highs Wednesday in Florida Gulf Coast University's 78–49 victory over North Florida at Alico Arena. Taylor produced a season and game-high 18 points, while Flowers' 10 points marked a career-high for the freshman in the Green and Blue.
"It's very important that everyone is feeling confident with their shot going into March," head coach Chelsea Lyles said. "It was great to have multiple people play, and multiple people play well. All these games from here on out are going to start getting harder and harder. We have to continue to focus on the things that got us here and execute down the stretch."
Rapid Recap:
FGCU (22-3) started the night off with a 9-0 run. The Eagles continued to pour it on the Ospreys early, leading by as much as 20-3 in the opening period courtesy of a deep Casey Santoro three. The Green and Blue hit five of their eight 3-pointers Wednesday in the first. After the opening 10 minutes of play, FGCU led 25-13 as UNF outscored the Eagles 10-5 in the final 3:47 of the first quarter.
The Eagles continued its night of scoring runs with a 13-0 spurt, the largest of the game, to open the second quarter. In a flash, the Ospreys looked up at the scoreboard to find themselves trailing 38-13, staring down at one of the nation's best scoring defenses. Allowing just 53.0 points per game coming into the game, FGCU possessed the nation's seventh-best scoring defense. FGCU scored 21 points off of UNF's first-half turnovers. For the night, FGCU tallied 29 points off turnovers and limited North Florida to zero.
Up 45-19 at the half, FGCU showed no let down in the third and fourth quarters. Four Eagles had reached double figures by the time the game reached the final period. The Eagles shot 50 percent in the fourth and would lead by as many as 36 Wednesday night en route to another dominating over North Florida.
Notes and Numbers:
- FGCU won its 15th straight game, improved to 13-0 in ASUN play and extended its win streak against ASUN opponent to 46 consecutive victories – which dates back to Jan. 21, 2023.
- Wednesday's 29-point victory marked FGCU's 12th double-digit conference win of the season. FGCU won by 35 in the first meeting of the season.
- Taylor, Flowers, Dolly Cairns and Emani Jefferson each scored above 10 points. Taylor shot a perfect 8-for-8 the field. Jefferson added 12, and Cairns had 10 after being held scoreless at EKU last Saturday. Jefferson has scored double-digits in all but two games this season.
- The Eagles are 17-0 when hitting eight or more 3-pointers. FGCU hit that benchmark again Wednesday with eight, shooting 8-of-20 from the field. Cairns and Alahna Paige hit two apiece.
-The Green and Blue has held eight opponents this season to 50 points or less.
Up Next:
FGCU stays in Fort Myers this weekend to host Stetson at 4 p.m. Saturday for Senior Night. FGCU Athletics will honor and commemorate the nine seniors of the 2025 senior class with a pregame ceremony. Tickets start at just $10 for general admission. 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).
