By BILL LEVY
Robert Anderson has a goal. Anderson, the owner/publisher of the Lehigh Acres Gazette wants really make people in Lehigh Acres aware of Florida Gulf Coast University. (click here to see photos)
“FGCU has a large of alumni base that live in Lehigh Acres but a lot of people still don’t know that the college exists,” Anderson said. “We are one of a handful of companies in Lehigh Acres that try to enhance the marketing of the university through our paper.”
It was that attitude that led Anderson and the Lehigh Acres Gazette to develop a relationship with FGCU over the past three years. As part of his marketing plan, the paper sponsored the women’s basketball game vs. the the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga on Tuesday night at Alico Arena. It was the third year in a row the Gazette has sponsored such an event with this being their second year as the featured sponsor.
Anderson could not have picked a better game, as the crowd of 1,014, many of whom were from Lehigh Acres, saw the Eagles (6-6) jump out to an early 14-7 lead, then increasing it to 30-12 at the end of the first quarter, before cruising to a 68-55 victory over the Mocs (5-7).
In their 14-7 run to start the game, FGCU shot six for seven in field goal attempts and out-rebounded the Mocs 4-0. For the quarter, they shot 12 for 15, which gave them a sizzling 80% mark.
“It was the best performance of the best game of the year,” FGCU coach Karl Smesko said. “(The first part) of the game was outstanding. We were active on both ends of the floor.
Despite Smesko admitting that his team did not maintain that same level of energy the rest of the game, as they were outscored 43-38, the Eagles were never in any real danger of relinquishing the lead.
Jessica Cattani and Rosemarie Julien each had 15 points for FGCU, which has won 5 of its last six games. The Eagles look to continue their winning ways, as they host St. Thomas on Wednesday night at 7:00.
Also looking to continue a successful steak is Anderson, in terms of the the partnership the Lehigh Acres Gazette has with FGCU.
“The relationship with the university has been great,” he said. “I hope to continue this for many years to come.”