Raining 3s vs American Recap

Making the historic moment for head coach Karl Smesko, the FGCU women's basketball team (4-2) wrapped up day three of the Rainbow Wahine Showdown at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii as they defeated American University (3-3) 90-71 in their first ever matchup and finished the tournament 2-1. For Smesko, the win against American was his 500th career win with FGCU.

"This was our best performance of the season," Smesko said. "We earned a quality win against a very good team. It is a great way to finish a great trip."

With her team down 10-6 in the opening quarter, junior Nasrin Ulel hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie it at 12. Moments later, FGCU started a 16-4 run over the final four minutes. Sophomore Alyssa Blair had a free throw, a steal and a fast break layup towards the end of the run, while Ulel converted a three-point play to give the Eagles a 30-19 lead.

American opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run, but the Green and Blue responded with an 11-1 run to take a 41-25 lead. Redshirt junior Keri Jewett-Giles capped the run with three consecutive 3-point field goals as FGCU eventually took an 11-point lead at the break.

In the second half, FGCU went on a 13-0 run that featured 3-point field goals from junior Tytionia Adderly, Ulel, and redshirt senior Lisa Zderadicka as the lead grew to 24 with 4:38 left in the third. From there, the Eagles led by as many as 26 and led by now fewer than 18.

Offensively, Ulel and Jewett-Giles that led the way. Ulel tied her career-high with 28 points (10-18, 7-11 3PT, 1-1 FT) while Jewett-Giles was two points shy of her career-high as she finished with 22 points (7-11, 4-7 3PT, 4-7 FT). Ulel also added six rebounds, three assists and four steals while Jewett-Giles added three assists and two steals.

Adderly also scored in double figures as she hit a season-high 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-3 3PT), six rebounds, an assist and a steal. With her six rebounds, Adderly now has 597 in her career and needs eight to pass Courtney Chihil (603, 2008-12) for fifth all-time. With one of her six rebounds being an offensive rebound, Adderly now has 249 and remains second all-time.

Zderadicka and redshirt senior Destiny Washington finished with nine points and two steals each. Zderadicka added four rebounds, a season-high six assists, and a block while Washington-Mabon added five rebounds and an assist.

In the end, Jewett-Giles and Ulel were named on the All-Rainbow Wahine Showdown Team

Up Next:
The Eagle return home as they face Houston (3-4) on Wednesday, November 28 at 5 P.M as part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team against FIU at 8 P.M.