#24 FGCU/LIPSCOMB RECAP

Nashville, TN- #24 FGCU (29-3, 17-1 ASUN) defeated Lipscomb University (19-11, 13-5 ASUN), 101-59, Wednesday night, from Allen Arena.

Stats (#24 FGCU):

#24 FGCU shot 60.9% (39/64) from the field, 48.6% (17/35) from beyond the arc, and outrebounded Lipscomb 33-29. The Eagles dished out 24 assists, had 12 steals, and 3 blocks in the game. #24 FGCU forced 18 Lipscomb team turnovers, while having 8 team turnovers of their own.

Stats (LU):

Lipscomb shot 39.3% (22/56) from the field, 30.4% (7/23) from beyond the arc, and were outrebounded 33-29 by the Eagles. The Bisons dished out 8 assists, had 3 steals, and 2 blocks in the game. Lipscomb forced 8 FGCU team turnovers, while having 18 team turnovers of their own.

Outstanding Players (#24 FGCU):

Alyza Winston 21 pts, 4 reb

TK Morehouse 18 pts, 8 asts

Uju Ezeudu 16 pts, 3 reb

Outstanding Players (LU):

Blythe Pearson 18 pts

Aleah Sorentino 14 pts, 4 reb

Molly Heard 14 pts, 3 reb

Overview:

#24 FGCU faced a stern test vs Lipscomb University in the first quarter of the game, and when the Eagles found themselves down 10-1, they persevered, and by the end of the quarter they were only down 25-20. In the 2nd quarter, #24 FGCU put up 29 points, and outscored the Bisons, 29-10. The pace to the offense that Coach Smesko runs, completely ran Lipscomb out of Allen Arena. The Eagles finished with 24 assists, and 12 steals vs the Bisons, taking all the momentum away from Lipscomb. FGCU has turned into Lipscomb’s kryptonite this season, since the Bisons had one of their best seasons in ASUN play, finishing at 13-5, earning the #3 seed in the conference, but had a 0-2 record vs the Eagles.

#24 FGCU, put up 52 points in the 2nd half, giving them the opportunity to rest their starters later in the game, for the upcoming ASUN Conference tournament. #2 seed Liberty survived a scare vs Bellarmine University, but with the Eagles win, they won their 13th ASUN Conference regular season championship, and secured the #1 overall seed, and home court throughout the postseason.

The Eagles were led offensively by Alyza Winston, who scored a game high 21 points. TK Morehouse (18 points), and Uju Ezeudu (16 points) also scored in double figures for the Eagles. Lipscomb was led offensively by Blythe Pearson, who scored 18 points. Aleah Sorentino and Molly Heard also scored in double figures, finishing with 14 points each.

What’s Next:

#1 seed FGCU faces the winner of #9 Stetson/#10 Jacksonville, Sunday at 5 PM, in the ASUN Conference Quarterfinals, from Alico Arena.