What started as a neck-to-neck race to the finish ended with a 14-point margin between visiting victors Arkansas State and host FGCU.
After a strong first half performance from the Eagles, Arkansas returned to take the second half 34-19, totaling to the game’s outcome at 62-48. Arkansas’ aggressive nature proved too much for the home team.
Arkansas found 21 points from turnovers — capitalizing on the Eagles’ inability to protect the ball — and 12 points on fast breaks, out-hustling the Eagles down the floor. The team known for raining three shot 30 percent from the arc, leaving it to players to earn points in the paint.
“I thought that Arkansas State was the more aggressive team tonight by far,” said FGCU head coach Karl Smesko to Athletics. “They played a really smart and really aggressive second half. They really hurt us on the boards. They forced turnovers that led the layups, and we shot it horribly. We’re not going to win shooting 3-for-23. We’ll have to look at the film and figure out what we can fix and try to get to it.”
Whitney Knight remains on the bench for a foot injury, leaving seniors Katie Meador, Kaneisha Atwater, Haley Laughter and Stephanie Haas to pick up the slack.
The team will travel to the North East this week to take on No. 23 George Washington on Dec. 3 in Washington D.C.