Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball forced EKU into a desperation three at the buzzer Saturday as the Eagles walked away with a 68-65 victory over the Colonels in Richmond, Kentucky.
"We have a lot to learn from this game," head coach Chelsea Lyles said. "Cerina made some big plays for us down the stretch which helped us pull off the win."
Rapid Recap:
With 1:37 remaining, the Colonels finished a physical move in the paint over rim protector Lauryn Taylor to pull within a one-possession game, 68-65. FGCU would turn the ball over on the very next possession, leading to a missed 3-point attempt from EKU on the other end trying to tie. Taylor came up with a huge offensive rebound on an ensuing missed Eagles three this time around, allowing FGCU to drain more of the clock from 30 seconds and on down. EKU then baited FGCU into a shot clock violation with just 10 seconds left. The Colonels called a timeout to advance the ball and draw up a play. The Lyles-led Eagles were not fooled and pressured the perimeter. EKU sent up a desperation three at the horn, and it fell short. FGCU left Richmond with its 14th straight win and is still perfect in the Atlantic Sun Conference at 12-0.
EKU scored the first four points of the day in FGCU's first-ever trip to the Baptist Health Arena. Casey Santoro gifted FGCU its first lead at the 4:10 mark of the first quarter with a wing three, making it 9-8 Eagles. After one, EKU led the Eagles 14-13. The Colonels shot 41 percent from the floor in the opening period, compared to FGCU's 23 percent.
FGCU used a 6-0 run in the second, its largest of the day, to take a 25-19 advantage and began to find its groove from 3-point land. Another Santoro three would push the Eagles lead to 10, up 31-21. Seven of FGCU's 11 made field goals in the first half were from behind the arc, shooting 7-of-16 from distance but finished the game with just nine made treys. Santoro drew a foul with 1.8 seconds remaining before half, stepped up and knocked down a pair of free throws to send FGCU into the break with an eight-point lead, 37-29. The Eagles outscored EKU 24-15 in the quarter.
FGCU opened its lead back up to 10 in the final minutes of the third period courtesy of a Cerina Rolle corner three, 55-45 to match its largest lead of the game. FGCU found itself going into the fourth quarter with just a two-possession cushion, leading 55-49. With 4:57 to go, Khamari Mitchell-Steen finished another acrobatic drive in the lane to stretch the Eagles' lead to nine, 66-57. Mitchell-Steen would later connect on two free throw attempts, but FGCU would not score a single point in the final 3:40 of the game, setting up the March Madness-like ending to prep the Green and Blue for the coming month.
Notes and Numbers:
- Both Taylor and Emani Jefferson produced double-doubles to lead the way. Taylor had 14 points and 11 rebounds for her ninth such outing of the season, while Jefferson turned in 11 points and 11 boards. Mitchell-Steen finished with 12 points.
- FGCU extended its ASUN win streak to 45 games. Saturday's nail-bitter marked the first conference game this season in which FGCU has won by less than 10 points. FGCU defeated EKU by 30 in the first matchup of the season in Fort Myers. The nation's second-best scoring defense surrendered a season-high 65 points Saturday but held EKU to just a single-made three. EKU outscored FGCU in three of the four quarters.
- FGCU's leading 3-point shooter Dolly Cairns was held scoreless Saturday without recording a single shot. The Eagles also did not register a single fast-break point and turned the ball over 17 times compared to EKU's 14.
- The Green & Blue is 15-0 this season when hitting eight in more three-pointers in a game. FGCU closed Saturday's battle with nine.
- The Eagles (21-3) continue to hold a one-game lead over second Central Arkansas (17-6, 11-1 ASUN) in the ASUN regular season race.
Up Next:
The Eagles return to Fort Myers on Wednesday to battle instate foe North Florida at 6:30 p.m. on Play 4 Kay Night at Alico Arena (PINK OUT). 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).
