In an ASUN Championship rematch, the FGCU women’s basketball team defended its championship with a 68-51 win over the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears on Saturday, March 15. The Eagles claimed their way to their ninth consecutive ASUN Championship and 12th title in the last 14 seasons.
The Eagles entered the postseason with a 30-3 overall record and an undefeated 18-0 record for the first seed in the ASUN Tournament. FGCU carried this momentum to tournament play, defeating the No.10 Austin Peay Governors 82-48 and No. 4 Eastern Kentucky Colonels 63-47 in the quarterfinal and semi rounds, respectively. This set up an ASUN Championship rematch against the No. 2 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears, who lost to the Eagles, 76-47, last year.
Both squads opened the game by showcasing strong defensive performances. In the final three minutes of the first quarter, both teams were tied at 10 apiece, and a highlight play by Emani Jefferson allowed the Eagles to separate. The back-to-back ASUN Player of the Year intercepted an errant pass and took the ball coast-to-coast, where she laid it in for two. Alahna Paige beat the buzzer by banking in a running floater, giving the Eagles a 16-12 lead through the first 10 minutes of play.
In the second quarter, a baseline cut to the basket by Khamari Mitchell-Steen allowed her to score an up-and-under layup through contact, giving FGCU a 10-point lead, its largest of the game to that point. Mitchell-Steen was one of three Eagles who earned ASUN All-Tournament team honors.
In the first half, FGCU shot 14-34 (41.2%) from the floor and 2-14 (14.3%) from the three-point line. The Eagles defense forced 12 turnovers, accumulated eight steals and forced the Sugar Bears to shoot 7-26 (26.9%) from the field and 3-10 (30.0%) from beyond the arc.
FGCU maintained its momentum after halftime, as Alahna Paige connected on a catch-and-shoot triple to cap off a 7-0 run within a 3:29 span. The fifth-year senior’s three-point field goal extended the Eagles’ lead to 21 points, its largest of the game. With two minutes left in the quarter, Lauryn Taylor soared up and blocked a floater attempt, sending the ball out of bounds. She was named to the ASUN All-Tournament team and finished the game with nine points, six rebounds, one block and one steal.
By the end of the third quarter, the Eagles led the Sugar Bears by a score of 57-40. FGCU had a much more efficient frame where they shot 7-13 (53.8%) from the field and 3-5 (60.0%) from the three-point line.
The Eagles continued their dominance in the fourth quarter. Jefferson intercepted a pass and took it the other way for a fastbreak score. It is no surprise that she was lauded with “MVP” chants from the crowd after scoring a team-leading 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Jefferson added to her season accolades, earning ASUN All-Tournament team and ASUN Tournament MVP honors.
“She’s one of the best guards in the country,” FGCU head coach Chelsea Lyles said. “She’s played well for us all year. To see her get this recognition, and for her to be MVP, it’s much deserved.”
The Eagles shot 26-61 (42.6%) from the floor through four quarters. FGCU struggled to connect on its three-pointers, shooting 6-24 (25.0%). However, it dominated in the paint, outscoring Central Arkansas 38 to 18.
“Our team has been resilient all year,” Lyles said. “They always find a way. I’m just really happy and proud of them, even though the shots weren’t falling.”
FGCU’s relentless efforts on the defensive end racked up 14 steals and held Central Arkansas to a 16-51 (31.4%) shooting performance. The Eagles forced 22 Sugar Bear turnovers and scored 25 points off of them.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity,” Lyles said. “I’m grateful for all these players and the coaches that helped us get to this point.”
The Eagles enter the NCAA Tournament as the 13-seed and will travel to Norman, Oklahoma to play the No. 3 University Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday,March 22.
