FGCU overcame an early 12-point deficit, then held off the University of North Alabama women's basketball team down the stretch for an 83-73 victory Sunday afternoon at Flowers Hall. With the win, the Eagles maintain first place in the ASUN Conference with and 8-0 league record. UNA falls to 4-6 in conference play with a 5-14 overall mark.
The Lions opened the game on a 14-2 run. After the Eagles scored the first basket of the game, four different UNA players scored as the home team reeled off 14 unanswered points. FGCU, however, answered with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession and was able to close the gap to 17-14 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter proved to be the difference in the game as the Eagles outscored UNA 22-13 in the frame. After an early three-point basket by freshman Macey Lee gave the Lions a 20-14 lead, UNA would not connect from the floor again until the final minute of the half.
The Eagles regained the lead at the 4:16 mark when a basket by Kierstan Bell made the score 24-23. FGCU stretched the lead to nine before Jade Moore was fouled on a three-point attempt and hit all three free throws with 2:02 remaining.
The two teams traded baskets before UNA got a stop on defense and followed with a layup by Jaila Roberts with 33 seconds to play. The basket was just the second field goal of the quarter for the Lions, but cut the deficit to 34-30 in the closing minute.
Tishara Morehouse added two free throws in the closing seconds to extend the FGCU lead to 36-30 at the half.
FGCU outscored North Alabama by two points in each of the final two periods. The Lions trailed by seven before an 8-1 spurt tied the game at 45-45 with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter. The Eagles answered by closing the frame on a 19-11 run, including a three-pointer at the buzzer by Trya Cox.
North Alabama could get no closer than seven points over the final 10 minutes of play.
Four players reached double figures for UNA, including three true freshmen. Alexis Callins equaled her career-high with 19 points. Fellow freshman Moore also had a career-game with 13 points. Lee and Roberts rounded out the top scorers for the Lions with 12 points each.
Morehouse and Bell combined to score 51 points to lead FGCU (15-2).
The UNA women are scheduled to host Bellarmine for two games Feb. 20-21. Tip-of times are set for 2 p.m. both days at Flowers Hall.
