FGCU WBB vs Lipscomb Recap

The FGCU women's basketball team (25-4, 11-1 A-SUN) managed to have no problem as they tamed the Lipscomb Lady Bison (10-17, 6-6 A-SUN) by a score of 88-52. With the win, the Eagles are 22-0 against the Lady Bison.

Prior to the game starting, the five senior players were recognized as part of their senior night: Jessica Cattani, Erica Nelson, China Dow, Taylor Grandijan and Rose Julien along with their student manager Dan Hansen.

In addition, the lineup featured all five seniors in the starting rotation.

In the first quarter, the Eagles got off to a hot start after three straight three-pointers out of four total from Cattani. Julien would follow with back-to-back threes of her own and finished with three in the first, including a buzzer beater as the quarter ended.

“It was a fast paced game, a lot of scoring in the first quarter,” FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. “I think we gave up five 3-pointers in the first quarter. Fortunately, we were shooting the ball well, too. Then, I thought our defense after the first quarter got a lot better. We had fewer miscommunications, so we didn’t give up quite as many 3-pointers. We played with good discipline.”

From there until the end of the game, the Lady Bison would have no chance to catch up.

In the end, Cattani led the way in points. Cattani finished with 20 points (6-11 FG, 6-10 3FG, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Nelson was held to seven minutes after leaving the game with an injury and did not return. Nelson had one rebound and two assists in the game.

Dow had nine points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Julien had 17 points (5-12 FG, 5-12 3FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists.

Grandijan,who is now the all-time leader in games played (142), finished with 12 points all from the 3-point line. Grandijan’s 12 points put her at 1,175 career points where she is now 11 points away from passing Shannon Murphy (1,185) for sixth all-time. Grandijan (284) is also 11 away from passing Whitney Knight (294) for second all-time in career 3-pointers.

Off the bench, sophomore Tytionia Adderly had five points, 14 rebounds (5 offensive, nine defensive) and two assists. Adderly's 14 rebounds put her at 501 career total rebounds and is eight away from passing Atwater for sixth all-time. In addition, Adderly's five offensive rebounds put her at 210 career offensive rebounds. The Jupiter native is 27 away from passing Robyn Swain (236) for third all-time.

Sophomore Nasrin Ulel had 10 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Redshirt junior Lisa Zderadicka had four points, one rebounds, six assists and one steal.

Redshirt freshman Chandler Ryan had nine points, one rebound and one assist.

Freshman Alyssa Blair had two points, two assists and one steal.

Sophomore Samantha Kisiel contributed with one rebound.

For the Lady Bison, senior Loren Cagle had 10 points, two rebounds and two assists. Cagle was the only Lady Bison in the starting lineup to score in double-digits.

Freshman Taylor Clarke had eight points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Sophomore Lauren Rau had seven points, one rebound, three assists and one steal.

Redshirt freshman Emily Kmec had six points, four rebounds and one steal.

Senior Kennedy Potts had two points and one rebound.

Off the Lady Bison bench, sophomore Kaylee Cotton had nine points, three rebounds and one assist.

Sophomore Lexi Manos had six points, one rebound and two assists.

Senior Loshaveon Jones and sophomore Carleigh Short had two points, one rebounds and one steal each.

Senior Auriana Broughton contributed with two rebounds and one assist, senior Meredith Lovelady contributed with one assist and senior Riley Northway contributed with two rebounds and one steal.

Up next, the Eagles conclude with their last home game of the season as they play Kennesaw State on Monday, February 19 at 7 P.M.