FGCU WBB vs. FMU Recap

After a hard fought game against South Dakota State with a winning score of 87-78, the FGCU women's basketball team (14-3) took the time at taking on their third and final NAIA school for the season: Florida Memorial (8-5). The Eagles took down two other NAIA universities earlier in the season: Southeastern University (77-66) and Ave Maria (99-35). The Eagles had no problem taking down the Lions despite the game counting as an exhibition game for Lions, and like the games against Southeastern and Ave Maria, it did count as a season game for FGCU, but it did not effect their RPI ranking. In the end, the Eagles beat the Lady Lions 82-43 to wrap up all their non-conference games and the year 2017. With the win, the Eagles are now 10-0 against the Lions.

"We got off to a really good start," FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. "It allowed us to play more people and get a chance to look at some kids who haven't got a lot of playing time. I saw some really positive things, especially on the defensive end."

The starting lineup for the Eagles did have a slight tweak as redshirt junior Lisa Zderadicka got her first start of her career at FGCU taking place for redshirt senior Taylor Grandijan. Grandijan was getting a much needed rest from an injury after scoring 17 points in the last game against South Dakota State. The rare sixth-year senior recently surpassed Katie Schrader (1,062 career points) for seventh all-time with 1,067 and is 69 points away from surpassing former player and current video coordinator Stephanie Haas (1138) for 6th all-time and surpassed Katie Meador (422) for seventh all-time in career rebounds with 433 and is 76 rebounds away from surpassing Kaniesha Atwater (508) for sixth all-time.

For the Eagles, senior Rose Julien had six points, three rebounds and two assists.

Zderadicka had five points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Senior Erica Nelson had 16 points (5-for-9 FG, 1-for-4 3FG, 5-for-5 FT), two rebounds, one assist and two steals.

Sophomore Nas Ulel had seven points, two rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals.

Sophomore Tytionia Adderly was once again shy of a double-double as she finished with eight points, 12 rebounds (seven offensive, five defensive), three assist and one steal.

Adderly's seven offensive boards put her at 161 and remains eighth all-time. She is 23 rebounds away from surpassing Courtney Chihil (183) for seventh all-time.

Off the bench, redshirt senior Jessica Cattani, freshman Alyssa Blair, redshirt senior China Dow, redshirt freshman Chandler Ryan, freshman Sheahen Dowling and freshman Liberty Brown all contributed in the game.

Cattani lead the way offensively with a career-high 23 points (9-for-11 FG, 5-for-7 3FG), three rebounds and one assist.

Blair added two points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Dow had five points and six rebounds.

Ryan had four points, one rebound, six assists and two steals.

Dowling and Brown had three points and two rebounds each.

Pretty much every player that played scored at least two points.

For the Lady Lions, senior Abreona Cabell had 11 points (2-for-7 FG, 1-for-2 3FG, 6-for-12 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block before fouling out. Cabell is the leading scorer for the Lady Lions.

Senior Ashley Henry led the way offensively with 13 points (6-for-10 FG, 1-for-6 FT), six rebounds, two blocks and one steal.

Sophomore Danielle Bailey had six points, two assists and two steals.

Freshman Brittney Howard had two points and five rebounds.

Sophomore Mya Jackson contributed with four rebounds and one steal.

Off the bench, freshman Anjelie Tirone and senior Victoria Jones also contributed to the game. Tirone added seven rebounds and one assist, while Jones contributed with 11 points and four rebounds.

As I watched the game, Florida Memorial's team looked really small and I asked myself "Where is the rest of their bench?" They had only two bench players playing, which is surprising yet sad at the same time.

The Eagles shot 11 3-pointers while the Lady Lions only shot three. The Eagles were also 15-for-19 (79%) from the free throw line while the Lady Lions were 14-for-28 (50%).

In terms of turnovers, the Lady Lions had 27 turnovers in contrast with the Eagles' seven.

In the end, FGCU won to conclude 2017 and prepare for their opening conference game against Stetson to start 2018.