The FGCU women's basketball team (29-4) are going to the A-SUN Conference finals once again as they defeated Lipscomb (12-19) by a score of 105-55. With the win, the Eagles are now 23-0 and will face Jacksonville in the in the finals. Jacksonville defeated UNF 83-76 in overtime in the other semifinals game.
Leading the way for the Eagles offensively was redshirt senior A-SUN All-Conference First Team member China Dow. Dow, who played off the bench, had 30 points (11-for-15 FG, 8-for-10 3FG), six rebounds, four assists and one steal.
Sophomore Nasrin Ulel had 17 points (5-for-9 FG, 5-for-8 3FG, 2-for-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists.
Senior Erica Nelson had nine points, four rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals.
Senior A-SUN All-Conference First Team member Rose Julien was held scoreless, but did contribute with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. This was Julien's second game this season where she was held scoreless.
Sophomore A-SUN All-Conference Second Team member Tytionia Adderly had five points, seven rebounds (4 offensive, 3 defensive) and four assists. With her seven rebounds, Adderly now has 539 career total rebounds, and remains sixth all-time. In addition, Adderly's four offensive rebounds put her at 227. She is 10 away from passing Robyn Swain (236) for third all-time. Adderly also has 312 defensive rebounds, including the seven in the game. She is 11 away from passing Kaneisha Atwater (322) for eighth all-time.
Redshirt senior A-SUN All-Academic Team member Taylor Grandijan had 16 points (5-for-11 FG, 4-for-8 3FG, 2-for-3 FT), six rebounds and four assists. With 8:28 left in the second quarter, Grandijan hit a three-pointer that passed Whitney Knight (294) for second all-time. Grandijan now has 298 career three-pointers made and is 33 away from passing Kelsey Jacobsen (330) for most all-time. In addition, Grandijan's seven rebounds that were all on the defensive end put her at 373 and is she is now 32 away from passing Swain (404) for fifth all-time.
Off the Eagles bench, aside from Dow, redshirt junior Lisa Zderadicka had eight points, one rebound and three assists.
Redshirt senior Jessica Cattani had 13 points (6-for-8 FG, 1-for-3 3FG) and three rebounds.
Freshman Alyssa Blair had five points.
Redshirt freshman Chandler Ryan had two points, two rebounds, six assists and one steal.
Freshman Sheahen Dowling contributed with one assist.
Sophomore Samantha Kisiel contributed with two rebounds.
"I was really pleased with our performance," FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. "We shot the ball exceptionally well. I thought China was instant offense. She had it going, had several threes in the first half. She came up huge for us. Gradinjan, Nas, they provided some offense for us. I thought it was a really good team defensive effort, not giving up too many open looks at three and making them work for shots."
“It’s not the way we wanted to end it, but for the seniors it doesn’t take away from what they did and the position they put us in as a program,” Lipscomb women’s basketball head coach Greg Brown said. “One of the things we talked about was being in the position to play for a championship, and we certainly were.
“Florida Gulf Coast is an excellent team, and that’s obviously the standard that we are trying to reach. So, we know what we have to work on in the offseason.”
For the Lady Bisons, senior A-SUN All-Conference First Team member, A-SUN All-Academic Team member and A-SUN Player of the Year Loren Cagle was held to four points. Cagle added eight rebounds, six assists and one steal.
“I can’t say enough about Lo’s game,” Brown said. “What she’s done off the floor is even better than the great player that she is. She’s been a statline filler her whole career. We’re certainly miss her, more for the young woman that she is more than the player she is on the floor.”
Freshman Taylor Clarke had five points and two rebounds.
Sophomore Lauren Rau contributed with two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Redshirt freshman A-SUN All-Freshman Team member Emily Kmec had 12 points and six rebounds. Kmec was the only player that scored in double figures.
Senior Kennedy Potts contributed with one rebound and one assist.
“I thought we came out and started well,” Brown said. “We did some good things and followed a good game plan, but then they made adjustments and hit a couple of shots that really shifted the momentum. They make you pay when you’re late for a rotation.”
Off the Lady Bison bench, sophomore Kaylee Cotton had five points, two rebounds and one steal.
Sophomore Lexi Manos had three points and two rebounds.
Senior Loshaveon Jones had nine points, one rebound and one block.
Sophomore Carleigh Short had four points, one rebound and one assist.
Senior Auriana Broughton had four points, one rebound, one assist and one steal.
Senior Meredith Lovelady had five points and one rebound.
Senior Riley Northway had four points and one assist.
“For these seniors, what they came in and were able to do for us, we’re proud of them,” Brown said. “Their accomplishments off the floor are unbelievable. They represent the university well.
“Hutch talks about the four C’s: the Christian walk, the competitiveness, the classroom, and the community, and we couldn’t ask for a better group to represent those things. And that’s what we’ll remember. It’s an emotional night, and you don’t like this feeling, but for the big picture they’ve done a lot.”
The Eagle will face JU in the A-SUN Conference Championship game. If the Eagles win, then they will go to the national tournament. If JU wins, FGCU will automatically be in the WNIT, but they will also have an at-large bid for the national tournament.
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