The FGCU Women’s Basketball Team is Championship Bound!

The FGCU Women’s basketball team is heading to the ASUN Championship Game! Gulf Coast punched their ticket with a dominant 63-47 win over Eastern Kentucky in the semifinals. Interestingly, the scoring was almost a mirror image in the first two quarters — EKU stormed out to a 20-7 lead in the first, but FGCU flipped the script with a 20-7 second quarter of their own. Talk about poetic justice!

Emani Jefferson led the charge with an impressive 22 points and 7 rebounds, helping the Eagles recover after a shaky first quarter. Lauryn Taylor was a force in the paint, recording a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. After that rocky start, FGCU settled in and dominated down the stretch, cruising to a 16-point victory.

Focus Shifts to Central Arkansas

Now, the Eagles turn their attention to Central Arkansas — the second-best team in the ASUN with a 22-8 record. Fortunately, FGCU holds home-court advantage, which could play a big role in the championship matchup.

The key areas FGCU needs to focus on to secure the title:

1. Win the Rebounding Battle
   Central Arkansas is a strong rebounding team, averaging 38.9 rebounds per game. Their top rebounder, Jasmine McGinnis, averages 7.4 boards per game. If Lauryn Taylor can box her out and put pressure on the glass, FGCU can limit Central Arkansas’s second-chance opportunities and gain an edge.
2. Start Strong
   FGCU can’t afford another slow start — especially against the second-best team in the conference. Falling behind early could be costly, so coming out with energy and execution will be key.
3. Lock Down the Perimeter
   Central Arkansas shoots 35% from three, so FGCU’s guards need to stay tight on shooters and contest every look. Limiting open threes could swing momentum in FGCU’s favor.
4. Step Up Beyond Jefferson and Taylor
   Central Arkansas will likely focus on shutting down Jefferson and Taylor, so the Eagles need others to step up. Depth scoring will be crucial in the biggest game of the season.

If FGCU can control the boards, tighten up the perimeter defense, and get balanced contributions on offense, they’ll be in a prime position to claim the ASUN crown on March 15th. Let’s get it done, Eagles!