FLORENCE, Ala. - Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball opened the night with strong defensive energy and a quick start, but North Alabama used a fourth-quarter push to slip past the Eagles, 60-55, Saturday evening at CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.
FGCU held North Alabama to five points in the opening quarter and carried a lead into halftime behind
Sinai Douglas' early shot-making and a strong stretch from
Jalei Pillow. The Lions answered with a 21-point third quarter to pull even at 43-43, then edged in front late at the free-throw line in the final minute to seal the result.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 10-11, 6-4 ASUN | North Alabama 10-10, 5-4 ASUN
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 55 | North Alabama 60
LOCATION: B&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall | Florence, Ala.
First Quarter: FGCU set the tone right away as Douglas drilled a three-pointer on the Eagles' first possession. The early burst was backed by activity on the defensive end, with Douglas and Pillow helping force turnovers and keep North Alabama off balance. Midway through the quarter,
Cerina Rolle delivered a key three-point play, finishing through contact at the rim and converting the free throw to help FGCU maintain control. The Eagles also got a lift late when
Anna Mortag swatted a shot in the paint, sparking a transition chance that ended with
Maca Retamales finishing a layup to make it 9-4 heading into the break.
Second Quarter: North Alabama trimmed the margin early, but FGCU answered with timely shot-making and poise. Douglas found her rhythm in the midrange, and Pillow provided the biggest punch with a pair of three-pointers to keep the Eagles in front. FGCU also created points off pressure, including a Douglas steal that led to a
Shameir Quimby layup in transition. North Alabama closed the half with a late bucket to make it 23-20 at the break, but the Eagles carried momentum from Pillow's perimeter shooting and a handful of strong defensive possessions.
Third Quarter: FGCU came out of halftime with an immediate spark as
Karina Gordon buried a deep three early in the quarter. Douglas continued to attack downhill, highlighted by a driving layup in the middle of the period as the Eagles fought to keep the lead. Pillow continued her strong night by converting a pair of finishes in traffic, and the Eagles briefly rebuilt their cushion with steady execution on both ends. North Alabama responded with a late run behind transition threes and free throws, trimming the margin in the closing minutes, but FGCU still carried a slim 43-41 advantage into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: The final 10 minutes turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams answering key possessions. Staton scored on a finish at the rim and later knocked down a jumper to briefly put the Eagles back in front. After North Alabama regained the lead, Quimby delivered a key sequence in the middle of the quarter, finishing an and-one at the rim to keep FGCU within a possession. The Eagles stayed in striking distance in the final minute, with Douglas getting to the line for two free throws and Rolle adding a late point at the stripe, but North Alabama closed it out from the free-throw line to secure the 60-55 result.
Douglas led FGCU with 16 points, adding five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Pillow posted a season-high 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, knocking down two three-pointers and grabbing six rebounds. Staton added seven points and five rebounds, while Rolle finished with seven points and two assists. Quimby chipped in six points and two assists as FGCU finished with 10 assists and forced 11 North Alabama turnovers.
The Eagles return to Alico Arena to host Bellarmine on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m.
To purchase tickets to any home FGCU game, please visit this
link, or call (866) 342-8849.
To stay up-to-date on the Eagles, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at FGCU_WBB
