FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team saw its 2025-26 season come to a close Monday night at Alico Arena, falling 62-56 to Loyola Chicago in the second round of the WNIT. The Eagles battled throughout and held the lead late in the third quarter, but Loyola Chicago used a strong finish in the fourth to pull out the road win.
FGCU battled back from an early deficit behind strong efforts from
Eve Alexander and
Sinai Douglas, carrying a 44-43 lead into the fourth quarter.
Airah Lavy added timely three-point shooting, while
Cerina Rolle helped orchestrate the offense with multiple assists as the Eagles answered several Loyola runs. FGCU twice pulled even in the final period, including a spark from
Maca Retamales, but Loyola Chicago made the key plays late to secure the 62-56 win and end the Eagles' season.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 16-16, 11-7 ASUN | Loyola Chicago 16-17, 9-9 A-10
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 56 | Loyola Chicago 62
LOCATION: Alico Arena | Fort Myers, Fla.
WNIT SECOND ROUND
First Quarter: FGCU came out with energy and grabbed the early momentum behind quick offense and transition play.
Airah Lavy opened the scoring with a three-pointer just 18 seconds in, and
Nay Staton followed with a fast-break layup off a
Cerina Rolle assist to make it 5-0. After
Jalei Pillow split a trip to the foul line, Rolle came up with a steal and found
Sinai Douglas for another transition layup as the Eagles moved in front 8-3. FGCU continued to attack inside late in the quarter, getting a driving finish from
Anna Mortag and a layup from
Eve Alexander off another Rolle assist, but Loyola Chicago answered with a 12-1 run in the middle of the period and closed the quarter with a late three to take a 20-14 lead.
Second Quarter: The Eagles settled back in during the second and put together one of their best stretches of the night. Lavy knocked down another three-pointer early in the frame to cut the deficit to three, and Douglas followed with a layup to bring FGCU within one. Alexander then gave the Eagles their first lead since the opening quarter, scoring through contact for a three-point play to make it 22-20. After Loyola briefly regained control, Alexander continued to produce in the paint with another layup and free throw, while Lavy buried a second triple of the quarter off a Staton assist to push FGCU back in front, 28-24. Douglas added a free throw later in the half and the Eagles continued to generate quality looks around the basket, but Loyola scored the final points before the break and the teams went into halftime tied, 29-29.
Third Quarter: FGCU and Loyola traded momentum throughout a tightly contested third period. Douglas got the Eagles started with back-to-back jumpers in transition, slicing the Ramblers' lead to one on both occasions. Mortag later converted a fast-break layup, and Alexander tied the game at 37-37 with a short jumper off a Rolle assist. After Loyola moved back in front, Mortag answered from beyond the arc off a Lavy feed to even things at 41-41. FGCU kept pushing in the closing minute as Rolle split a pair of free throws and then found Alexander for a layup after an offensive rebound from Mortag, giving the Eagles a 44-43 lead entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: FGCU continued to battle down the stretch and twice erased deficits midway through the final period. After Loyola scored the first five points of the quarter,
Maca Retamales sparked the Eagles with a three-pointer from the wing and then converted a three-point play to tie the game at 50-50. Douglas answered two Loyola free throws with a strong drive to the basket that evened the score again at 52-52, and Alexander later scored inside while Rolle added a layup to keep FGCU within a possession at 58-56 with 2:40 to play. The Eagles had chances in the closing minute, collecting multiple offensive rebounds, but Loyola came up with a late three-pointer and free throws to seal the 62-56 final.
FGCU finished with 56 points on 21-of-53 shooting, adding 15 assists, eight steals, 32 points in the paint and 29 points from the bench.
Eve Alexander led the Eagles with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while
Sinai Douglas added 12 points and three rebounds.
Airah Lavy chipped in nine points on three made three-pointers, and
Anna Mortag scored seven points with four rebounds.
Cerina Rolle filled the stat sheet with six assists, six rebounds and three steals as the Eagles wrapped up the season at 16-16 overall.
FGCU GIVE DAY 2026 LAUNCHES MARCH 25 AT NOON
FGCU's annual Give Day – a 24-hour fundraising effort designed to support student-athletes, the 15 Division I sport programs and key priorities across FGCU athletics – launches at Noon on March 25. Help support Your Hometown Team by making your gift during the 24-hour campaign (or anytime leading up to that 24-hour span) by visiting the FGCU Athletics
2026 Give Day webpage.
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2026-27 FGCU BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for the 2026–27 FGCU Basketball season are officially on sale. To purchase or renew 2026–27 FGCU Basketball season tickets, contact the FGCU Ticket Office:
Phone: 866.FGCU.TIX (866.342.8849)
Email: Tickets@FGCU.edu
Website: FGCUTickets.com
