FORT MYERS, Fla. - The FGCU Eagles (10-11, 6-4 ASUN) return to Alico Arena on Thursday, February 5, welcoming Bellarmine (2-21, 0-10) for a 7:00 p.m. tip in Fort Myers. The Eagles look to respond after a tight road setback and continue building momentum as they push through the second half of conference play.

This will be the eighth all-time meeting between FGCU and Bellarmine. The Eagles own a 7-0 advantage in the series and have won each of the first seven matchups between the two programs. The most recent meeting came on Feb. 6, 2025 in Louisville, Ky., when FGCU pulled away for a 74-57 road victory.

FGCU is coming off a 60-55 loss at North Alabama on Saturday in Florence, Ala. Sinai Douglas led the Eagles with 16 points, while Jalei Pillow followed with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Nay Staton and Cerina Rolle each added seven points as FGCU remained within striking distance throughout before North Alabama closed the game late.

Bellarmine enters Thursday after a 69-39 road loss to West Georgia on Saturday in Carrollton, Ga. Haya Abdel Aal scored a team-high 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Kayce Hyman finished with 13 points. Andrea Chiquemba and Olivia Pifer helped on the boards as the Knights battled through a difficult offensive night. 

FGCU continues to be defined by its defense and efficiency on both ends of the floor. The Eagles are averaging 62.1 points per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from three-point range. Douglas (11.0 ppg) and Staton (10.6 ppg) lead the scoring, with Eve Alexander providing a consistent interior presence and Rolle anchoring the paint. On the defensive end, FGCU has been among the league's best, holding ASUN opponents to a conference-low 53.8 points per game, limiting teams to 36.2 percent shooting and just 23.9 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing only 32.0 rebounds per contest.

Bellarmine is averaging 51.7 points per game and shooting 32.3 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three. Triniti Ralston leads the Knights at 13.9 points per game, with Rose Jamison and Kayce Hyman also serving as key scoring options. Andrea Chiquemba has been a steady contributor on the glass, while Abdel Aal continues to provide an offensive spark off the bench.

For FGCU, the keys to the game will be to look to continue improving game by game, establish control in the paint on both ends of the floor, and push the tempo by playing fast in transition. Creating turnovers and turning those defensive stops into efficient scoring opportunities will be a major point of emphasis on Thursday night.

Following Thursday's matchup, FGCU remains home to host Jacksonville on Saturday, February 7, at 2:00 p.m. inside Alico Arena.

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