CARROLLTON, Ga. - The Eagles came up short on the road Thursday night, falling 63-56 at West Georgia inside The Coliseum in Carrollton, Georgia. FGCU rallied in the fourth quarter to cut the margin to two late, but the Eagles were unable to close the gap down the stretch.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 8-8, 4-1 ASUN | West Georgia 11-5, 4-1 ASUN
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 56 | West Georgia 63
LOCATION: The Coliseum | Carrollton, Ga.
First Quarter: FGCU opened with early momentum as
Sinai Douglas buried a three to start the scoring, then set up
Jalei Pillow for a layup after the Eagles forced a turnover.
Karina Gordon added a pull-up jumper in the paint as FGCU built a 7-0 lead, but West Georgia answered late to take a 14-11 edge after one.
Eve Alexander provided a lift off the bench with an offensive rebound and tip-in, and
Anna Mortag scored late to keep FGCU close.
Second Quarter: The Eagles tied it early when Gordon knocked down a three off a Douglas assist, then stayed active on the glass with multiple second-chance opportunities.
Cerina Rolle capped one long possession with a tip-in, and FGCU got additional scoring from Staton and Mortag to remain within three, 26-23, at halftime.
Third Quarter: FGCU continued to attack the paint to open the half, with
Nay Staton and Rolle finishing inside, but West Georgia created separation with perimeter shooting.
Jordan Campbell sparked the Eagles with a steal and a putback, and Douglas added a late jumper, as FGCU trailed 48-34 entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: FGCU made a push behind defense and transition offense, cutting into the margin with a Douglas jumper and a fast-break layup for Staton. Rolle hit a key three in transition, and Alexander helped fuel stops with multiple blocks as the Eagles crept closer. FGCU pulled within 56-54 after Mortag hit two free throws with 1:25 left, but West Georgia answered late and the Eagles were forced to foul down the stretch. The Wolves took down the Eagles 63-56, ending the Eagles' 58-game ASUN unbeaten streak.
Staton led FGCU with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Douglas added 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Rolle and Alexander each scored seven, Gordon had seven rebounds and three assists, and FGCU finished with 40 rebounds and eight steals.
Head Coach
Raina Harmon - "We've relied on our defense to close games during this opening stretch of conference play. Tonight, we gave up too many open looks from three. I was pleased at our ability to cut it to two late in the game, but it was a little too late to mount a comeback to victory."
The Eagles remain away from home, traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina, to take on Queens on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m.
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