FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Eagles battled back late but came up short Thursday night, falling 74-66 to Austin Peay at Alico Arena.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 9-9, 5-2 ASUN | Autin Peay 12-5, 4-3 ASUN
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 66 | Austin Peay 74
LOCATION: Alico Arena | Fort Myers, Fla.
First Quarter: FGCU created early chances with activity on the defensive end, as
Nay Staton and
Jordan Campbell jumped passing lanes for steals in the opening minutes. Campbell turned the pressure into points at the line to give the Eagles the first lead, and Staton followed with a smooth floater in the lane to keep FGCU within striking distance.
Sinai Douglas knocked down a first-quarter three-pointer to push the Eagles in front, and
Eve Alexander provided a spark inside with a pair of finishes in the paint. Austin Peay answered late with points at the rim, taking a 16-13 edge after one.
Second Quarter: The Eagles' pressure produced momentum swings throughout the second. Douglas came away with a steal and went coast-to-coast for a layup, then later buried a corner three to pull FGCU closer.
Cerina Rolle answered in transition with a layup, and the Eagles continued to chip away at the margin by getting to the free-throw line. Midway through the quarter, FGCU grabbed the lead when
Jalei Pillow finished through contact for an and-one, and the Eagles stayed within reach behind paint touches from Staton and strong interior work from Alexander. Austin Peay connected from deep in the final seconds of the half, sending FGCU into the break trailing 37-35.
Third Quarter: FGCU opened the half looking to turn defense into offense, but Austin Peay strung together key possessions to create separation. The Eagles got a lift from the perimeter when Campbell drilled a three-pointer, and
Anna Mortag added a timely response from beyond the arc to keep the deficit manageable. FGCU also earned extra chances at the stripe as Austin Peay's fouls mounted, but the Governors finished the quarter with a push in transition and on the glass. Austin Peay led 57-48 entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: The Eagles made their run early in the final frame, starting with Pillow's work on the offensive boards that led to points at the line. Staton then knocked down a three-pointer to cut the margin to four, and she continued to attack downhill to keep pressure on the defense. FGCU forced turnovers to create opportunities, Campbell came up with a steal in the backcourt and the Eagles kept the pace high, but Austin Peay answered with finishes in the paint and late free throws. FGCU pulled within two possessions in the final minutes behind baskets from Alexander at the rim, but the Governors closed it out at the line to seal the 74-66 final.
FGCU finished with 66 points, forcing 18 turnovers and turning them into 22 points while adding 15 fast-break points. Alexander led the Eagles with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Staton added 15 points and five rebounds, while Douglas scored 12 points with three steals. Campbell posted five points, six assists, and two steals in her first career start, and Pillow chipped in eight points.
Head Coach
Raina Harmon -
The Eagles remain at Alico Arena, hosting Lipscomb on Saturday, Jan. 24, at noon.
To purchase tickets to any home FGCU game, please visit this
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