CONWAY, Ark. - Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball (9-10, 5-3 ASUN) is back in action, on the road Thursday night, traveling to Conway, Arkansas, for a 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT matchup against Central Arkansas (11-8, 4-3) inside the Farris Center. The Eagles enter the contest looking to respond and continue their push in the league standings as conference play reaches its midpoint.

Thursday's matchup marks the eighth all-time meeting between FGCU and Central Arkansas, with the Eagles holding a perfect 7-0 record in the series. The most recent meeting came earlier this month on Jan. 3 in Fort Myers, where FGCU earned a 64-51 victory. In that contest, Sinai Douglas led the Eagles with 12 points and five assists, while Nay Staton posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

FGCU comes into Thursday's game after a 53-44 home setback against Lipscomb on Saturday, Jan. 24, dropping the Eagles to 5-3 in the ASUN. FGCU showed defensive grit throughout the contest, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance points, but struggled to find consistent offense. Maca Retamales provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, while Staton and Cerina Rolle each added eight. Douglas chipped in seven points, four steals, and three assists as the Eagles battled through a low-scoring affair.

Central Arkansas enters the matchup riding momentum after an 87-66 home win over West Georgia on Wednesday, Jan. 21, improving to 4-3 in conference play. The Sugar Bears shot over 51 percent from the field and knocked down 11 three-pointers, using efficient shooting across all four quarters to build separation. Shae Littleford led the way with 17 points, while Bree Stephens added 16 and Cheyanne Kemp chipped in 15. Laylah Reese also made a key impact off the bench, scoring 15 points on efficient shooting as Central Arkansas pulled away in the second half.

This season, FGCU has leaned heavily on its defense, which has set the tone in conference play. Against ASUN opponents, the Eagles are allowing a league-low 53.3 points per game, holding teams to the third-lowest field goal percentage (36.4%) and the second-lowest three-point percentage (23.4%), while also allowing the second-fewest rebounds per contest (32.1). Offensively, Douglas and Staton continue to pace the Eagles, each averaging just over 10 points per game, with Douglas also leading the team in assists and steals. Rolle and Eve Alexander provide interior presence, combining rebounding, rim protection, and efficient scoring around the basket.

Central Arkansas has found success through efficient shooting and a strong perimeter attack. The Sugar Bears average more than 72 points per game and shoot over 41 percent from the floor, while ranking among the league's better three-point shooting teams. Littleford leads the team at 14.5 points per game, with Kemp (12.5 ppg) and Bree Stephens (10.8 ppg) also scoring in double figures. Reese adds shooting depth off the bench, while Kemp and Littleford help anchor the Sugar Bears on the glass.

For FGCU, the emphasis remains the same, continue to improve game by game, contest the perimeter, play disciplined on-ball defense, and control the glass by limiting second-chance opportunities. Protecting the basketball will be critical as the Eagles look to turn defensive stops into transition offense.

Following Thursday's game, FGCU stays on the road, traveling to Florence, Alabama, to face North Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT inside CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.