FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team battled throughout but came up short on Saturday afternoon at Alico Arena, falling to Jacksonville, 81-70. FGCU got a career-high 25 points from
Nay Staton and stayed within striking distance into the second half, but Jacksonville's big third quarter and timely finishes down the stretch helped the Dolphins secure the road win.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 11-12, 7-5 ASUN | Jacksonville 16-7, 8-4 ASUN
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 70 | Jacksonville 81
LOCATION: Alico Arena | Fort Myers, Fla.
First Quarter: FGCU answered early punches and found a rhythm from the perimeter behind
Airah Lavy. After Jacksonville opened the scoring, the Eagles settled in with
Jalei Pillow finishing a layup off a
Cerina Rolle assist and Rolle adding a strong take to the rim to keep things even. Lavy then knocked down a pair of three-pointers to spark the offense and swing momentum, first off a kick-out and later again to give FGCU a lift as the teams traded possessions. The Eagles also generated a transition look late, and
Eve Alexander capped the quarter with a corner three in the final seconds to send FGCU into the break up 16-14.
Second Quarter: The pace picked up in the second, and FGCU traded baskets while trying to handle Jacksonville's pressure. Lavy stayed aggressive and buried another three early in the period as FGCU briefly extended its edge. The Eagles continued to attack the paint, highlighted by
Sinai Douglas finishing a fast-break layup to make it 23-16 after Rolle set her up in stride. Staton kept the offense moving with strong finishes inside, including a transition layup after finding a seam down the floor, and she made her presence felt defensively with a block that helped stop a Jacksonville push. Jacksonville used turnovers to fuel a run, but FGCU answered with plays at both ends, including Alexander jumping a passing lane for a steal that led to an Eagles basket. Staton's physicality showed up again as she finished through contact for an and-one during the quarter, helping FGCU stay connected heading into halftime, 35-35.
Third Quarter: Jacksonville seized control coming out of the locker room, turning stops into points and stringing together a run that forced FGCU to chase. The Dolphins hit from the perimeter and attacked downhill to build separation, but the Eagles continued to fight behind Douglas' activity and Staton's scoring. Douglas got FGCU going with a finish at the rim and later created a momentum play defensively, coming up with a steal and converting an and-one on the other end to cut into the deficit. Staton added another basket inside and continued to battle on both ends, but Jacksonville's transition offense and second-chance opportunities helped the Dolphins take a 61-51 lead into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: FGCU made one more push in the final period, responding with energy and timely shot-making to try to close the gap. Douglas attacked in transition for a pair of layups, one set up by Staton, and Staton later stepped out and knocked down a three to pull the Eagles closer. Lavy added a fast-break three off a Douglas assist, and the Eagles forced multiple turnovers as they tried to speed the game up. Jacksonville, however, answered each surge with baskets in the paint and trips to the free-throw line to keep FGCU at arm's length. Rolle added a late layup, but the Dolphins' poise down the stretch sealed the 81-70 final.
Staton led FGCU with a career-high 25 points, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 10-for-13 at the free-throw line to go with five rebounds and two assists. Douglas finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while Rolle added 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Lavy scored 12 points on four made three-pointers for the Eagles.
Head Coach
Raina Harmon -
The Eagles will head back on the road to face North Florida on Thursday, Feb. 12, with a 7 p.m. tip in Jacksonville, Fla.
To purchase tickets to any home FGCU game, please visit this
link, or call (866) 342-8849.
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