DELAND, Fla. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team fell on the road Saturday afternoon, dropping a 62-52 decision to Stetson at the Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center in DeLand, Fla.
After a back-and-forth start, FGCU stayed within striking distance behind timely threes from
Airah Lavy and
Sinai Douglas, but Stetson used second-chance opportunities to carry a 32-26 lead into halftime. The Eagles responded with their best stretch in the third quarter, getting a spark from
Jalei Pillow inside and rallying behind
Cerina Rolle's pair of three-pointers, both set up by Douglas, to briefly grab the lead before Stetson edged ahead 43-42 entering the fourth. FGCU continued to compete on the glass and cut it to one early in the final period, but the Hatters' pressure created turnovers that turned into points and helped Stetson pull away late for the 62-52 decision.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 12-13, 8-6 ASUN | Stetson 16-9, 9-5 ASUN
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 52 | Stetson 62
LOCATION: Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center | DeLand, Fla.
First Quarter: FGCU settled in defensively early with
Cerina Rolle rejecting a shot at the rim on Stetson's first possession, but the Hatters used offensive rebounds and trips to the line to build an early edge.
Airah Lavy got the Eagles on the board with a catch-and-shoot three off a
Sinai Douglas assist, and FGCU answered again when Douglas buried a three from the wing.
Eve Alexander provided a spark off the break after jumping a passing lane for a steal and finishing the fast-break layup, and the Eagles kept attacking the glass with extra chances from Alexander and
Anna Mortag. Lavy capped the quarter with another deep three in the final seconds to keep FGCU within one, 14-13.
Second Quarter: The Eagles traded punches and stayed close behind timely perimeter shots and strong interior finishes. Lavy knocked down her third three of the day, and Mortag answered with a three of her own to pull FGCU within a point.
Nay Staton converted a jumper in the paint off a Douglas feed, and Rolle earned a trip to the line to keep the pressure on. FGCU also got a bucket inside from
Jalei Pillow late in the half on a Mortag assist, but Stetson closed the period with a late push to take a 32-26 lead into the break.
Third Quarter: FGCU delivered its best stretch coming out of halftime, tightening up defensively and turning the game with poise in the half court. Pillow opened the scoring with a layup off a Lavy assist, and after Stetson threatened to extend the margin, FGCU steadied itself at the line with Douglas. Rolle then ignited the comeback with a pair of threes, both set up by Douglas, to bring the Eagles level, and Douglas followed by attacking the lane for a jumper to make it 40-40. Alexander finished a strong take to put FGCU in front, and the Eagles entered the fourth down just one after a late Stetson basket, 43-42.
Fourth Quarter: The Eagles continued to battle on the glass and got a quick tip-in from Rolle to pull within one early, but Stetson's pressure forced turnovers and the Hatters converted those mistakes into points during a key run. FGCU had chances at the rim and generated second-chance looks, and Douglas broke through with a transition layup to make it a six-point game midway through the quarter. Lavy later connected on a three in the final minute, but Stetson's free throws and timely offense down the stretch sealed the 62-52 final.
FGCU was led by
Cerina Rolle and
Airah Lavy with 12 points apiece.
Sinai Douglas finished with 10 points and a game-high nine assists, while
Anna Mortag pulled down a team-best nine rebounds as the Eagles battled throughout.
The Eagles return to Alico Arena on Thursday, Feb. 19, to host Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. in a Pink Out game for Play 4 Kay Night.
To purchase tickets to any home FGCU game, please visit this
link, or call (866) 342-8849.
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