FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team used a strong defensive effort and late free throws to earn a 58-55 victory over North Florida on Wednesday night inside Alico Arena. The Eagles finished with 13 steals and 22 points off turnovers, making key plays on both ends in the final minute to hold off the Ospreys.
FGCU erased an early deficit with an 18-12 second quarter to take a one-point lead into halftime, then created separation coming out of the break by forcing nine third-quarter turnovers. North Florida rallied late and briefly moved in front in the final minute, but the Eagles answered at the line down the stretch to close out the three-point win.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 14-14, 10-7 ASUN | North Florida 9-19, 4-13 ASUN
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 58 | North Florida 55
LOCATION: Alico Arena | Fort Myers, Fla.
First Quarter: North Florida set the tone early by attacking the paint and forcing FGCU to work through half-court possessions. The Eagles found offense in transition, beginning with
Airah Lavy knocking down a three off a
Sinai Douglas assist and
Nay Staton converting a fast-break layup after a defensive rebound.
Anna Mortag added another runout finish to keep FGCU within reach, but UNF's second-chance opportunities and interior scoring allowed the visitors to maintain the early edge heading into the second.
Second Quarter: FGCU shifted the momentum with defensive pressure and sharper ball movement, turning steals into scoring opportunities throughout the period. Douglas sparked the run with a jumper in the lane and continued to create chances by forcing turnovers, while
Jalei Pillow's activity in the passing lanes produced extra possessions.
Maca Retamales provided a perimeter spark with a three, and Douglas steadied the offense at the free-throw line during the late stretch.
Karina Gordon closed the half by knocking down a last-second three to push the Eagles in front and send FGCU into the locker room with a 28-27 lead.
Third Quarter: The Eagles came out of halftime with urgency, using their defense to dictate pace and generate quick offense. Staton jump-started the stretch with a three off a Douglas assist and later finished a fast-break layup following a steal, while Lavy's pressure created additional transition opportunities. Douglas orchestrated the offense with drives, free throws, and playmaking as FGCU continued to convert turnovers into points, and Gordon connected from deep during the run. North Florida answered with perimeter shooting to stay close, but the Eagles maintained control and carried a 44-40 advantage into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: The final 10 minutes featured multiple ties and lead changes before FGCU made the closing plays. Early in the quarter, the Eagles got an interior basket from Pillow off a
Cerina Rolle assist, then
Eve Alexander finished at the rim after a feed from Retamales. Lavy knocked down a clutch three off a Douglas assist, and Staton added a pull-up jumper in the paint to keep FGCU in front during the late exchanges. North Florida briefly took the lead in the final minute, but FGCU responded with poise at the free-throw line, with Douglas converting twice after a late steal, and Staton added the final free throw with three seconds remaining to seal the 58-55 win.
FGCU forced 23 turnovers and turned them into 22 points, while also producing 16 fast-break points in the victory. Staton led the Eagles with 15 points and six rebounds, while Douglas stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, six assists, and six steals. Lavy added nine points, and the Eagles received key contributions from Gordon (nine points on three made threes), Pillow (five rebounds, three steals), and Rolle (three assists, five rebounds) as FGCU closed out the win in the final seconds.
Head Coach
Raina Harmon -
FGCU closes the regular season at home Friday, Feb. 27, hosting Stetson for Senior Night. The Eagles will honor
Nay Staton,
Cerina Rolle,
Maca Retamales,
Jordan Campbell, and
Anna Mortag as they wrap up the regular season inside Alico Arena.
To purchase tickets to any home FGCU game, please visit this
link, or call (866) 342-8849.
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