JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's basketball team saw its tournament run come to a close on Thursday afternoon, falling 70-63 to Stetson in the ASUN Tournament Quarterfinals at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
FGCU went toe-to-toe with Stetson throughout, taking a one-point deficit into halftime before using a 24-point third quarter to grab a 51-48 lead entering the final period. The Eagles leaned on efficient inside scoring from
Eve Alexander and timely threes from
Anna Mortag and
Karina Gordon, but Stetson answered late and closed the game at the free-throw line to secure the 70-63 win.
RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 16-15, 11-7 ASUN | Stetson 20-10, 12-6 ASUN
SCORE: No. 5 seed Florida Gulf Coast 63 | No. 4 seed Stetson 70
LOCATION: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | Jacksonville, Fla.
ASUN TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS
First Quarter: FGCU settled in offensively early behind perimeter shooting and timely stops.
Cerina Rolle answered Stetson's first three with one of her own, and
Sinai Douglas attacked the rim for a layup to keep the Eagles in the opening back-and-forth. After
Airah Lavy buried a three off a Rolle assist, Douglas knocked down a triple from the top to pull FGCU within one. The Eagles generated extra looks with offensive rebounds from
Eve Alexander and
Jordan Campbell, and
Anna Mortag capped the stretch by drilling a three to make it a one-point game late. Stetson closed the quarter at the line, sending FGCU to the second down 18-15.
Second Quarter: The Eagles continued to fight for control and briefly grabbed the lead behind Alexander's interior presence. After Stetson opened the period with a three, Douglas set up Alexander for a finish and then again for a tip-in as FGCU tightened the margin. Alexander kept working on the glass and converted an and-one to give FGCU a 22-21 edge. Mortag provided a spark with a three to push the lead to 25-23, and
Nay Staton added a second-chance tip-in to extend the advantage. Stetson responded with a late run, including a fast-break layup in the final half-minute, as FGCU went to halftime trailing 28-27.
Third Quarter: FGCU came out of the locker room with its best stretch of the afternoon, leaning on ball movement and a barrage from deep. Lavy opened the half with a three, and the Eagles kept stacking stops and answers as Rolle hit a three off a Douglas assist and Alexander finished inside to keep FGCU in front. As the pace picked up,
Karina Gordon knocked down a pair of threes, one set up by Mortag and another off a Douglas assist, while Mortag later splashed a three of her own to stretch the margin. The Eagles shot efficiently in the period and shared the ball, pushing the lead to 51-48 entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: The final 10 minutes featured multiple lead changes as the teams traded punches in a tense finish. Stetson opened the quarter with a three to tie it, and the Eagles answered through Alexander's work in the paint, she scored on consecutive possessions and added a free throw to give FGCU a 56-53 edge. Mortag continued her strong afternoon with a layup and later a jumper as FGCU tried to create separation, but Stetson answered with baskets at the rim and a three to knot the game at 60-60 with under three minutes remaining. The Hatters sealed it at the free-throw line down the stretch, while FGCU continued to battle for extra possessions on the offensive glass. Stetson went 10-for-10 at the stripe in the fourth, pulling away late for the 70-63 decision.
FGCU shot 10-for-26 from three and received 37 points from its bench.
Eve Alexander led the Eagles with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting and seven rebounds.
Anna Mortag added 13 points, while
Cerina Rolle and
Sinai Douglas finished with eight apiece, with Douglas also totaling six assists.
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
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