FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team controlled the pace from start to finish Friday night at Alico Arena, turning defensive pressure and timely shot-making into a 67-55 victory over Stetson. The Eagles also celebrated Senior Night, honoring
Nay Staton,
Cerina Rolle,
Maca Retamales,
Jordan Campbell, and
Anna Mortag prior to tipoff, before building a first-half cushion, weathering a third-quarter push from the Hatters, and closing the door with steady execution in the final 10 minutes.
FGCU set the tone early with downhill attacks and extra possessions, taking a five-point lead after the opening quarter before the ball movement and bench production helped stretch the margin to 37-26 at the break. Stetson answered with its best stretch coming out of halftime to trim the deficit, but the Eagles responded with key threes and stops to stay in control. FGCU then opened the fourth with a momentum triple, got timely finishes at the rim, and leaned on its defense and rebounding to keep Stetson from making a late run down the stretch.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 15-14, 11-7 ASUN | Stetson 19-10, 12-6 ASUN
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 67 | Stetson 55
LOCATION: Alico Arena | Fort Myers, Fla.
First Quarter: FGCU established its rhythm by pushing the ball and attacking the paint.
Sinai Douglas got the Eagles on the board with a driving layup off a
Cerina Rolle assist, and Rolle later drilled a three to keep FGCU in front during an early back-and-forth stretch.
Nay Staton created an extra possession with an offensive rebound and tip-in, and Douglas knocked down a three to give the Eagles a boost as they settled in. FGCU closed the quarter with a composed half-court possession that ended in
Jordan Campbell's pull-up jumper off an
Eve Alexander assist, sending the Eagles to the second with a 17-12 lead.
Second Quarter: The Eagles' depth showed in the second as FGCU strung together stops and converted turnovers into points. Douglas opened the period with another finish at the rim, and
Anna Mortag made her presence felt with a layup and a pair of assists that set up Alexander for finishes inside. Campbell added a wing three to extend the margin, while
Karina Gordon chipped in at the line as FGCU continued to build separation with efficient offense. Staton capped the late-half surge with a three, helping FGCU take a 37-26 advantage into halftime.
Third Quarter: Stetson made its move out of the locker room, but FGCU answered each push with timely plays.
Airah Lavy buried a transition three off a Douglas assist, and
Jalei Pillow sparked a possession with a steal to help the Eagles regain momentum. Staton attacked the rim for a finish, and Mortag stepped into a three off a Campbell assist to settle the game when Stetson trimmed the lead. Douglas continued to apply pressure with drives and ended the quarter with a strong take to the basket, as FGCU carried a 53-45 lead into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: FGCU delivered the first punch in the final frame and never let Stetson get closer than striking distance. Mortag opened the scoring with a three off a Douglas assist, and Alexander repeatedly generated extra chances on the offensive glass, including a key putback late. Douglas added a pull-up jumper and continued to dictate tempo, while Staton finished at the rim in the closing minute to seal it. The Eagles backed it up with stops and rebounds down the stretch to close out the 67-55 win.
Douglas led FGCU with 16 points to go along with three rebounds and two assists. Staton followed with 15 points and five rebounds, while Alexander added 10 points, five rebounds and three steals. Campbell filled the stat sheet off the bench with seven points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, and Mortag contributed eight points on two threes with four rebounds and two assists. Rolle added four points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Head Coach
Raina Harmon -
The Eagles now turn their attention to the ASUN Tournament, entering as the No. 5 seed and set to face No. 12 Bellarmine on Tuesday, March 3 at 2:30 p.m. in Jacksonville, Fla.
To purchase tickets to the ASUN Tournament, please visit this
link.
To stay up-to-date on the Eagles, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at FGCU_WBB.
