NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Behind a season-high 21 points from
Nay Staton, the Eagles picked up a 63-42 win over Lipscomb on Saturday afternoon at Allen Arena. The Eagles improve to 4-0 in ASUN play with the victory.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 8-7, 4-0 ASUN | Lipscomb 5-10, 2-2 ASUN
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 58 | Austin Peay 54
LOCATION: Allen
Arena | Nashville, Tenn.
First Quarter: FGCU set the tone early with energy on both ends, opening the game by getting to the line and turning defense into offense. Staton scored the first points of the afternoon at the stripe, and
Cerina Rolle made an immediate impact with a steal that led to a jumper as the Eagles jumped out front. FGCU then strung together a quick burst from the perimeter, getting threes from Staton and
Sinai Douglas, followed by a transition triple from
Karina Gordon to push the margin to 13-5 and force an early timeout.
Eve Alexander gave the Eagles extra possessions with offensive rebounds that turned into points, including a putback and a trip to the line, as FGCU carried a 20-13 lead after one.
Second Quarter: The Eagles' pressure and paint touches took over in the second, as FGCU repeatedly converted stops into layups and second-chance points. Staton jumped a passing lane for a steal and finished in transition to spark the offense, and Rolle added to the momentum with another steal that she turned into a fast-break layup.
Jalei Pillow finished through contact inside, and Alexander continued to punish the glass with multiple offensive rebounds, setting up a tip-in and additional scoring chances. FGCU closed the half on an 11-0 run, highlighted by Douglas attacking the lane for an and-one and a final possession that saw Alexander finish at the rim at the buzzer, sending the Eagles into halftime with a 41-22 lead.
Third Quarter: Lipscomb made a push coming out of halftime, but FGCU answered with timely baskets to steady the game. Staton opened the scoring with a three off a Douglas assist, and the Eagles kept generating quality looks inside even as shots didn't fall consistently. Douglas knocked down a pull-up jumper in the lane, and Gordon added a midrange finish to keep the margin comfortable. Defensively, FGCU limited clean perimeter looks and cleaned up the glass. FGCU led 53-36 heading to the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: FGCU closed the game by leaning on its defense and rebounding, using a stretch of forced turnovers to drain clock and create extra chances. The Eagles got key steals from Gordon and Rolle, and Staton added another finish at the rim as FGCU pushed the lead back to 19. Pillow delivered a momentum play midway through the quarter, finishing through contact for an and-one to further extend the advantage. After the Eagles continued to control the paint and the glass,
Airah Lavy knocked down a late three to put an exclamation point on the final minutes as FGCU secured the 63-42 road win.
Staton led the Eagles with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting while adding eight rebounds. Alexander posted 11 points and eight boards, including six offensive rebounds, while Douglas finished with eight points and five assists. Rolle filled the stat sheet with six points, five steals, and three assists as FGCU forced 17 turnovers and scored 32 points in the paint.
The Eagles remain on the road, traveling to Carrollton, Georgia, to take on West Georgia on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. as ASUN action continues.
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