{"id":19509,"date":"2013-03-05T23:17:07","date_gmt":"2013-03-06T04:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/?p=19509"},"modified":"2013-03-05T23:17:07","modified_gmt":"2013-03-06T04:17:07","slug":"no-1-seed-fgcu_wbb-set-to-face-kennesaw-state-in-asunwbb-tourney-quarterfinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/2013\/03\/no-1-seed-fgcu_wbb-set-to-face-kennesaw-state-in-asunwbb-tourney-quarterfinals\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 1 Seed @FGCU_WBB Set to Face Kennesaw State in #ASUNWBB Tourney Quarterfinals"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>GAMEDAY CENTRAL<\/strong><\/p>\n

#1 FGCU (25-5, 18-0 A-SUN) vs. #8 KENNESAW ST. (7-23, 3-15 A-SUN)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Wednesday, March 6, 2013<\/p>\n

Time:<\/strong>\u00a012:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

City:<\/strong>\u00a0Macon, Ga.<\/p>\n

Site:<\/strong>\u00a0Hawkins Arena (3,200)<\/p>\n

Live Stats:<\/strong>\u00a0AtlanticSun.org<\/p>\n

TV:<\/strong>\u00a0ESPN3.com<\/p>\n

Talent:<\/strong>\u00a0Paul Crane & Dee Romine<\/p>\n

Live Audio:<\/strong>\u00a0FGCUAthletics.com<\/p>\n

Talent:<\/strong>\u00a0David Moulton<\/p>\n

Twitter:<\/strong>\u00a0@FGCU_WBB<\/p>\n

Twitter Hashtags:\u00a0<\/strong>#ASUNWBB\/#FGCU\/#PlayLikeAnEagle\/#GogglesUp\/#MaconMadness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Current Streak:<\/strong>\u00a0W19<\/p>\n

Last 15:<\/strong>\u00a015-0 |\u00a0Last 20:<\/strong>\u00a019-1<\/p>\n

vs. KSU:<\/strong>\u00a014th Meeting; FGCU leads 11-2; FGCU is 1-0 in the A-Sun Tournament vs. KSU<\/p>\n

Last Meeting:<\/strong>\u00a0FGCU 74, Mercer 36; Mar. 2, 2013 at Alico Arena<\/p>\n

Last A-Sun Tourney Meeting:\u00a0<\/strong>#1 FGCU 76, #5 Kennesaw St. 53; Mar. 2, 2012 (Semifinals)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Up Next With A Win:\u00a0<\/strong>Fri., March 8 vs. winner of No. 4 USC Upstate\/#5 UNF at noon<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

COACHING MATCHUP<\/strong><\/p>\n

FGCU Head Coach:\u00a0<\/strong>Karl Smesko (Kent State \u201893) *2013 A-Sun Coach of the Year<\/p>\n

Career Record:\u00a0<\/strong>347-81 (14th Season)<\/p>\n

Record at FGCU:\u00a0<\/strong>286-54 (11th Season)<\/p>\n

A-Sun Record:\u00a0<\/strong>100-12<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Head Coach:\u00a0<\/strong>Nitra Perry (Mississippi St. \u201801)<\/p>\n

Career Record:\u00a0<\/strong>7-23 (1st Season)<\/p>\n

Record at KSU:\u00a0<\/strong>Same<\/p>\n

A-Sun Record:\u00a0<\/strong>3-15<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

KAY YOW NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR<\/strong><\/p>\n

After being a finalist for the 2011 award, FGCU\u2019s\u00a0KARL SMESKO\u00a0was named the recipient of the 2012 Kay Yow Coach of the Year award on April 9, 2012. Smesko is the first FGCU head coach to earn a Division I National Coach of the Year honor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smesko, who earned his third A-Sun Coach of the Year honor and was also named 2012\u00a0CollegeSportsMadness.com Mid-Major and A-Sun Coach of the Year,\u00a0led FGCU to one of the most historic season in its Division I history, advancing to the NCAA Tournament and earning a No. 12 seed in the Raleigh Region. The Eagles finished with a 29-3 overall record that included a league-first 18-0 mark in the A-Sun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Kay Yow Award was established in 2010 to honor the Division I women\u2019s head coach who embodies not only a winning spirit but who also displays great character both on and off the court.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yow was a coaching legend who led NC State to 737 wins during her 34 seasons at the school. She was wildly successful in every forum in which she coached, leading gold medal winners at the 1981 World University Games, the 1986 Goodwill Games, 1986 World Championship Games and the 1988 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Past Recipients<\/span><\/p>\n

2011 –<\/strong>\u00a0Matt Bollant, Green Bay<\/p>\n

2010 –<\/strong>\u00a0Connie Yori, Nebraska<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AT A GLANCE<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Riding an overall 19-game winning streak and a league record 39-game A-Sun winning streak, that dates back to the 2011-12 season when they finished 18-0, the Eagles will look to continue their winning ways when they compete in the program\u2019s second Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament (Mar. 6-9) at Mercer University\u2019s Hawkins Arena. No. 1 seed FGCU will take on No. 8 Kennesaw State on Mar. 6 at noon in a quarterfinal matchup that can bee seen live on ESPN3.com or the WatchESPN app.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UP NEXT<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the No. 1 Eagles win their quarterfinal matchup with the No. 8 KSU Owls, the Green and Blue will then take on the winner of No. 4 USC Upstate vs. No. 5 UNF in the semifinal round on Friday, Mar. 8 at 12:00 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STARTING 5 QUICK HITS<\/strong><\/p>\n

#5 Sarah Hansen (F)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 A-Sun Player of the Year<\/p>\n

\u2022 1st in the A-Sun in points per game (17.0)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Scored in double figures in 28 of the team\u2019s 30 games<\/p>\n

\u2022 Scored a career-high 30 points in FGCU\u2019s upset of LSU (Dec. 28)<\/p>\n

#00 DyTiesha Dunson (G)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Shooting .828 from the charity stripe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Averaging 18.9 minutes per contest<\/p>\n

\u2022 Averaging 3.6 points<\/p>\n

#21 Jaime Gluesing (G)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 A-Sun All-Freshmen Team selection<\/p>\n

\u2022 Shooting .474 from the field and .449 from behind the arc<\/p>\n

\u2022 1st in the conference in 3-pt percentage<\/p>\n

\u2022 Averaging 8.1 points in conference play<\/p>\n

#24 Brittany Kennedy (G)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 A-Sun Defensive Player of the Year<\/p>\n

\u2022 1st in the A-Sun in steals (2.9)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Led the team in assists in 22 of the 29 games she\u2019s played in<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dished career-high 12 assists at ETSU (Jan. 12)<\/p>\n

#30 Joyce Iamstrong (G)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 6th in the conference in 3-pt field goal percentage (.358)<\/p>\n

\u2022 6th in the conference in assists (2.9)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Averaging 10.7 points and 3.9 rebounds this season<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LAST TIME OUT (FEB. 28):\u00a0<\/strong>18-0! FGCU MAKES HISTORY WITH 2ND STRAIGHT PERFECT A-SUN REG. SEASON<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joyce Iamstrong scored a game-high 19 points as the No. 38 FGCU women\u2019s basketball team defeated Kennesaw State, 74-36, to secure a second consecutive perfect A-Sun regular season on Saturday night at Alico Arena.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 With their 19th straight victory, FGCU improved to 25-5 overall (18-0 A-Sun), while the Owls fell to 7-23 (3-15 A-Sun) on the season.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 The Green and Blue\u2019s 18-0 conference record solidified them as the first A-Sun school to go undefeated in league play in back-to-back seasons and is the fourth occurrence in league history that a team has finished the regular season unblemished. FGCU\u2019s 18 A-Sun victories also tied the 2009-10 ETSU and 2011-12 FGCU squads in the Atlantic Sun record books for the most conference wins in a season.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 KSU\u2019s 36 points marked the 17th time the Eagles held an opponent to 55 points or fewer this season.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 The Eagles, who have made at least one three-pointer in 227 consecutive contests and 339 of 340 games in program history, made nine triples on the day, led by four from Iamstrong.\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 Iamstrong shot 6-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from behind the arc to register 19 points in 25 minutes of action. Sarah Hansen finished with 14 points and eight boards. Brittany Kennedy recorded with 10 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals, while freshman Stephanie Haas chipped in with eight points and two boards.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SCOUTING KENNESAW ST.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 KSU is now fifth in the NCAA in fewest personal fouls per game, committing fewer than 11 infractions on average per contest.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The Owls are one of the best teams in the league in terms of perimeter defense, holding opponents to just a 28-percent success rate from beyond the arc, putting the black and gold in the top 50 nationally in that category.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The Owls have three players in the top 20 in the A-Sun in rebounding, more than any other team.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Senior Sametria Gideon is now 22nd in the nation in total double-doubles with 14 and is leading the A-Sun in rebounding with 10.4 boards per game. Gideon is also one of just four active players in the country to be a school\u2019s active career points and rebounds leader, holding 1,271 total points and 1,098 rebounds.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FGCU VS. THE BCS<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

FGCU\u2019s 63-56 win at Virginia Tech (Dec. 16) and 76-70 win vs. LSU (Dec. 28) marked the Eagles\u2019 sixth and seventh wins over BCS conference opposition in last three seasons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2012-13:<\/strong>\u00a0Virginia Tech, LSU<\/p>\n

2011-12:<\/strong>\u00a0Michigan State, Virginia Tech<\/p>\n

2010-11:<\/strong>\u00a0Virginia Tech, Seton Hall, Indiana<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A-SUN TOURNEY HISTORY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Making their second A-Sun postseason appearance in their second year of postseason eligibility, the Eagles look to become the first team in Atlantic Sun history to win the Atlantic Sun Championship in their first two appearances.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FGCU is also looking to become the fifth program to win back-to-back A-Sun Tournament titles. Georgia Southern, FIU, Georgia State and ETSU are the only schools to win consecutive tournament championships.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONFERENCE WINNING STREAKS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Eagles have won 39 straight A-Sun games overall (including the conference tourney) and 36 consecutive regular season conference contests, which are both league records and are the 2nd longest conference winning streaks in the nation. Defending National Champion Baylor has won a nation\u2019s-best 39 consecutive regular season league contests (as of Mar. 3). The Lady Bears have also won 45 straight Big 12 games overall, a continuing league record (as of Mar. 3).<\/p>\n

FGCU\u2019s last regular season A-Sun loss was at USC Upstate, 75-74, on Feb. 28, 2011.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WE\u2019RE GOING STREAKING<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a tough 60-53 loss to UCF at Alico Arena, the Green and Blue have won 19 straight contests, which is tied for the fourth longest winning streak in Division I (through games on Mar. 2). Defending National Champion Baylor owns the nation\u2019s longest winning streak (26).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Team\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Streak<\/span><\/p>\n

Baylor\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 26<\/p>\n

Notre Dame 22<\/p>\n

Delaware\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20<\/p>\n

Green Bay\u00a0\u00a0 19<\/p>\n

FGCU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Quinnipiac\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Eagles also own a 10-game home winning streak, which ranks t-13th in Division I (through games on Mar. 2) with Notre Dame and Utah State.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PICKIN\u2019 UP VOTES IN THE AP POLL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Eagles received two votes to rank tied-No. 37 in this week\u2019s AP Top 25 Poll that was released on Monday, March 4.<\/p>\n

This marks the second time this season that the Eagles have garnered a vote in the national poll. The Green and Blue received one vote in last week\u2019s AP Poll (Feb. 25; 1 vote to rank No. 38).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FGCU IN MARCH<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 FGCU has an all-time record of 23-7 in games played in March.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Since moving to Division I in 2007-08, the Eagles hold an 15-5 record in the month of March; 4-0 vs. A-Sun competition.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NINE CONSECUTIVE 21-WIN SEASONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Eagles secured their ninth-straight 21+ win season with a 89-38 victory at Lipscomb (Feb. 16). The Green and Blue now have 10 21+ win seasons in program history. The lone year that the Eagles failed to win 21 games was during the 2003-04 campaign, when FGCU went 18-8.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Over the last nine seasons, the Eagles have accumulated 238 wins and 45 losses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4-TIME A-SUN REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS<\/strong><\/p>\n

FGCU captured the program\u2019s third consecutive A-Sun Regular Season crown (fourth in the last five years) with their 72-55 win at Stetson (Feb. 23). The Eagles\u2019 other three regular-season championships came in 2011-12, 2010-11 and 2008-09. FGCU finished last season 18-0 in conference play and 17-3 in both the 2010-11 and 2008-09 campaigns.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Eagles have won 13+ A-Sun games in six straight seasons. FGCU is 100-12 in conference play over the last six years and has won 70 of their last 76 Atlantic Sun regular season games over the past four seasons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HISTORY BUFFS<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a 74-36 win over Kennesaw State on Mar. 2, the Eagles became the first team to go undefeated in A-Sun play in back-to-back seasons. FIU completed the feat twice as a member of the A-Sun (1992-93 & 1995-96).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The win also gave the Green and Blue 18 A-Sun wins on the year, which tied the 2009-10 ETSU & 2011-12 FGCU squads for the most conference victories in a season.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FGCU IN LATEST BRACKETOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n

With an RPI as low as 49 and a strength of schedule (SOS) as low as 150, the Eagles were predicted to be a No. 14 seed, playing No. 3 Tennessee (Knoxville Region), by ESPN.com\u2019s Charlie Creme in his March 4th Bracketology.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FGCU was also predicted as the No. 15 seed, playing No. 2 seed Kentucky in the\u00a0NCAA Tourney in College Sports Madness\u2019 Bracketology (updated on Mar. 4).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FGCU IN THE RPI<\/strong><\/p>\n

Outlet (Date)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 RPI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Strength of Schedule (SOS)<\/span><\/p>\n

NCAA (Feb. 25)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 —<\/p>\n

RPIRatings.com (Feb. 24)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 —<\/p>\n

Real Time (Mar. 1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 47\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 133<\/p>\n

WarrenNolan.com (Mar. 1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 47\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 133<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A-SUN SUCCESS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Head Coach\u00a0KARL SMESKO\u00a0and his Eagles hve enjoyed significant success in the Atlantic Sun since moving to Division I. FGCU, who owns a 100-12 all-time record in conference play, has won four regular season titles (2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13) and one conference tournament title (2012) since joining the league in 2007-08. FGCU is 53-3 in conference games since the 2010-11 season.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ONE TO REMEMBER<\/strong><\/p>\n

FGCU\u2019s huge 97-60 win at ETSU was special for more than one reason. The obvious would be the team\u2019s NCAA Division I record breaking 22 three-pointers, but there were also several other significant performances in the contest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BETSY ADAMS\u00a0scored her career-high and game-high 25 points in just 14 minutes on 9-of-14 shooting from the field and 7-of-12 from behind the arc. The seven makes from long distance from Adams rank her tied for fifth place in the FGCU record books.\u00a0ANTHI CHTZIGIAKOUMI, in her first collegiate start, registered a career-high 15 points and four rebounds, while\u00a0BRITTANY KENNEDY\u00a0totaled seven points and two steals to go with a career-best 12 assists. Kennedy\u2019s 12 dimes rank her t-2nd in program history with former teammate Courtney Chihil (12; vs. Indiana, Dec. 21, 2010).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CAPITAL 1 ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA 2ND TEAM<\/strong><\/p>\n

SARAH HANSEN\u00a0was named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-America women\u2019s basketball second team (Feb. 21), as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his\/her current institution and be nominated by his\/her sports information director.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hansen is the first student-athlete in FGCU history to earn Capital One Academic All-American status. She is also the only basketball player, men\u2019s or women\u2019s, in the A-Sun Conference to earn the distinction this year. Previously in 2012, Hansen was honored as the A-Sun\u2019s Women\u2019s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, named to the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA) Women\u2019s Scholar-Athlete Team and earned DI-AAA ADA Women\u2019s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year to highlight the Scholar-Athlete Team.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

New Mexico\u2019s Caroline Durbin, Ashley Eide of South Dakota State, Amanda Hyde of IPFW, Akron\u2019s Rachel Tecca and Alli Williams of Saint Francis (Pa.) join the Hansen on the Capital One Academic All-America Division I second team.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CAPITAL 1 ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT 4 FIRST TEAM<\/strong><\/p>\n

SARAH HANSEN\u00a0was named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District 4 Women\u2019s Basketball first team (Jan. 31), as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Members of CoSIDA conduct nominations and voting for the All-America programs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The District 4 team is made up of student-athletes from Division I schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico and South Carolina. To be nominated, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore, a starter or important reserve and must carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

GETTIN\u2019 LOVE FROM ESPN<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the \u2018Weekly Wrap\u2019 by ESPN\u2019s Graham Hays (Dec. 30 & Jan. 27), the Eagles got some love for their 76-70 upset of LSU (Dec. 28) and their win over A-Sun rival Stetson (Jan. 26).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what Hays said:<\/p>\n

SHE ALSO STARRED (Dec. 30)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sarah Hansen, Florida Gulf Coast:<\/strong>\u00a0This is why it isn\u2019t easy for good mid-major programs to convince major programs to pay them visits. Florida Gulf Coast beat LSU 76-70 on Saturday in Fort Myers, Fla., an upset at least as measured by name recognition. The leading scorer a season ago on a Florida Gulf Coast team that reached the NCAA tournament in its first season of eligibility, Hansen totaled 30 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals against LSU. The Eagles use the 3-point shot and are suffering for it this season (28 percent accuracy, compared to 37 percent a season ago), but Hansen is an all-around scorer who showed it in a win people will notice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MAJOR SHOWDOWNS AMONG MID-MAJORS (Jan. 27)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a weekend full of conference showdowns in the mid-major ranks. Delaware got its win against Drexel to gain control in the CAA, but these teams also made the most of important games.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Florida Gulf Coast:<\/strong>\u00a0It was a game between conference unbeatens, but it wasn\u2019t close. Florida Gulf Coast beat Stetson 74-55 to improve to 9-0 in the Atlantic Sun. It\u2019s the 10th win in a row for the Eagles in a run that began with a win against LSU, and all nine conference wins came by at least 10 points.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

#6 IN THE ESPN MID-MAJOR TOP 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Florida Gulf Coast women\u2019s basketball team moved up two positions to pick up the No. 6 spot in the latest ESPN Mid-Major Rankings (Feb. 20). The rankings are based on the women\u2019s basketball blog of ESPN\u2019s Graham Hays. FGCU was ranked No. 8 in the Feb. 5 rankings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Said ESPN of FGCU, \u201cThis isn\u2019t quite the version of Florida Gulf Coast we saw a season ago. This group doesn\u2019t shoot the ball as well from the 3-point line or overall and doesn\u2019t rebound as well, but tell it to the rest of the Atlantic Sun. The Eagles have yet to win a conference game by anything other than double digits. The next two games are against teams in (distant) second and third places, beginning with a weekend trip to Stetson and a home game next week against Mercer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ESPN Mid-Major Top 10 (Feb. 20)<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Delaware<\/p>\n

2. Dayton<\/p>\n

3. Green Bay<\/p>\n

4. Chattanooga<\/p>\n

5. Princeton<\/p>\n

6. FGCU<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

7. Gonzaga<\/p>\n

8. Toledo<\/p>\n

9. Marist<\/p>\n

10. Creighton<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

FGCU RANKED #11 IN MID-MAJOR POLL<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Florida Gulf Coast women\u2019s basketball team dropped two spots into the No. 11 position in the 18th edition of the 2012-13 CollegeInsider.com Women’s Basketball Mid-Major Top 25 poll, announced on Tuesday evening. The Eagles were ranked No. 9 in the Feb. 26 poll.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Delaware (26-3), ranked No. 16 in both the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll, along with No. 20 Green Bay (24-2), Gonzaga (25-5), Toledo (26-2) and Princeton (19-6) hold the top five spots in the poll.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mid-Major Poll is made up of teams from the following conferences: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Great West, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt and West Coast Conference.<\/p>\n

The Eagles are the lone Atlantic Sun Conference team represented in this week\u2019s poll.<\/p>\n

MAKE IT UNCOMFORTABLE<\/strong><\/p>\n

FGCU is nationally known for their 3-point prowess, but one thing that gets overlooked when people talk about the Eagles is their defense. The Eagles lead the A-Sun conference in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 52.5 points per contest. In conference games, FGCU has held the opposition to just 48.4 points per game.<\/p>\n

On Dec. 31 at Kennesaw State the Green and Blue held the Owls to 35 points. Kennesaw\u2019s 35 points are the fewest the Eagles have allowed to a Division I opponent since UNF (Jan. 7, 2012) and Belmont (Feb. 11, 2012) managed just 34 points against FGCU.<\/p>\n

The Green and Blue have forced opponents into 15+ turnovers 25 times this season, highlighted by JU\u2019s 30 turnovers on Feb. 2 at Swisher Gym.<\/p>\n

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS<\/strong><\/p>\n

In their last seven games, FGCU has held the opposition to just 49, 48, 38, 53, 55, 62\u00a0 and 36 points, respectively. The Eagles, who lead the conference in scoring defense (52.5 ppg), have held opponents below 65 points 27 times this season, while also holding this year\u2019s opposition below 55 points or fewer on 17 occasions.<\/p>\n

WHEN PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY<\/strong><\/p>\n

After averaging just 1.3 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 6.0 minutes of action as a junior transfer in 2011-12,JOYCE IAMSTRONG\u00a0put in a lot of work on her game over the summer and is arguably the most improved player in the nation.<\/p>\n

This season, Iamstrong is averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 28.3 minutes. The Chicago, Ill., native is also shooting .796 from the charity stripe, .424 from the field and .358 from behind the arc, a drastic improvement from her first year in the Green and Blue.<\/p>\n

BALL SO HARD<\/strong><\/p>\n

FGCU finished the regular season ranked first in the A-Sun in scoring offense (70.8), scoring defense (52.5), scoring margin (+18.3), free throw percentage (.749), field goal defense (.370), three-point field goal defense (.252), assists (15.7), steals (11.1), turnover margin (+7.47), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2) and three-point field goals made per game (9.2). In conference only games, FGCU ranked first in the A-Sun in scoring offense (74.1), scoring defense (48.4), scoring margin (+25.7), free throw percentage (.748), field goal percentage (.446), field goal percentage defense (.355), three-point percentage (.357), three-point field goal defense (.225), assists (16.1), steals (11.2), turnover margin (+9.67), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5) and three-point field goals made per game (10.2).<\/p>\n

FGCU\u2019S BIG 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

SARAH HANSEN,\u00a0BRITTANY KENNEDY\u00a0and\u00a0JOYCE IAMSTRONG\u00a0have combined to account for 53.4 percent (37.8 points per game) of FGCU\u2019s scoring. The trio is also shooting .469 (391-of-833) from the floor and .313 (92-of-294) from long distance.<\/p>\n

WELL DONE YOUNGSTER<\/strong><\/p>\n

JAIME GLUESING\u2019s .449 three-point percentage would rank 6th in the nation if she averaged a minimum 2.0 treys made per game. (she averages 1.5 triples per game).<\/p>\n

The freshman, who has scored in double figures in seven conference games, is averaging 8.1 points and is shooting .490 from the field and .493 from behind the arc in A-Sun play. She\u2019s hit a trey in 22 games this season and has multi-threes in 14 contests.<\/p>\n

PROTECTING THE ROCK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Averaging 70.8 points per game (1st in the A-Sun), the Eagles lead the league with a +7.47 turnover margin.BRITTANY KENNEDY, who ranks 2nd in the A-Sun in assists (5.3), is second in the conference in assist\/turnover ratio at 2.0.\u00a0SARAH HANSEN\u00a0has a 1.03 ratio, while ranking 13th in the league at 2.4 assists per game and\u00a0JOYCE IAMSTRONGowns a 1.49 ratio and ranks sixth in the league at 2.9 assists per game.<\/p>\n

SHAKE AND BAKE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Senior\u00a0JOYCE IAMSTRONG\u00a0and redshirt junior\u00a0SARAH HANSEN\u00a0give FGCU one of the top scoring tandems in the conference. The duo is averaging a combined 27.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.6 steals per game.<\/p>\n

A-Sun Top Scoring Tandems<\/span><\/p>\n

McGowan\/Sanders (Stetson) – 29.9 ppg<\/p>\n

Bridges\/Grant (Mercer) – 29.8 ppg<\/p>\n

HANSEN\/IAMSTRONG (FGCU) – 27.7 ppg<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Copney\/Starling (Upstate) – 23.1 ppg<\/p>\n

Alford\/Sneed (JU) – 22.8 ppg<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 The duo has reached double figures in same game 15 times with FGCU going 14-1.<\/p>\n

WE ARE FGCU<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a 18-0 record in A-Sun action, FGCU is one of 10 teams in the nation that are undefeated in conference play (Albany, Dayton, Baylor, Notre Dame, Delaware, Green Bay, Marist, Hampton, Quinnipiac; as of Mar. 3). Also, with a 25-5 overall record, the Eagles are one of 15 25+ win teams in the nation (thru games played on Mar. 3).<\/p>\n

FLORIDA\u2019S FINEST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Out of the 13 Division I schools in the state of Florida, the Eagles (25-5) rank first for the most victories in the state (thru games played on Mar. 3).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

School\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Record<\/span><\/p>\n

FGCU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (25-5)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Florida State\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (21-8)<\/p>\n

Stetson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (21-8)<\/p>\n

Miami\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (20-9)<\/p>\n

USF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (19-9)<\/p>\n

FIU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (18-11)<\/p>\n

Florida\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (17-13)<\/p>\n

UCF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (13-16)<\/p>\n

Bethune-Cookman\u00a0 (12-14)<\/p>\n

FAU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (12-16)<\/p>\n

Jacksonville\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (11-18)<\/p>\n

UNF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (11-18)<\/p>\n

FAMU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (10-17)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3\u2019S PLEASE!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Surrounding its opponents with a balanced scoring attack, FGCU has knocked down 276 threes this season compared to just 106 from their opponents. Led by\u00a0BETSY ADAMS\u2019\u00a02.1 trifectas per contest, 13 different players have made at least three shots from long range. The Eagles, who lead the conference in three-point field goals made per game (9.2), have three players (Adams,\u00a0JOYCE IAMSTRONG\u00a0&\u00a0JAIME GLUESING) ranked in the A-Sun\u2019s top-15 in the same category.<\/p>\n

#GOGGLESUP<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the program\u2019s 11-year history (340) games, FGCU has made at least one three-pointer in 339 contests, including 227 straight. The last and lone time the Eagles didn\u2019t knock down a three was February 21, 2006 at Lynn. During the current 227-game run, the Green and Blue have knocked down 2,199 money balls while their opponents have knocked down 1,009 threes. In games that it has drained double-digit threes, FGCU is 129-8 all-time and 84-6 since moving to Division I in 2007-08.<\/p>\n

BREAKING RECORDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Less than 14 months after tying the all-time NCAA record and setting the 2011-12 NCAA single-game high 21 three-pointers on 51 long range attempts in their 106-27 over NAIA foe Webber International on Nov. 28, 2011 at Alico Arena, the FGCU women\u2019s basketball team knocked down 22 triples in a 97-60 win at ETSU on Jan. 12, 2013. Prior to breaking the record, the Eagles were tied for first place all-time with New Mexico State, who drained 21 triples against Louisiana-Lafayette on Feb. 23, 2002.<\/p>\n

The NCAA Division I record 22 three-point makes are also a program and Atlantic Sun Conference best, as FGCU made 10 treys in the first half and 12 in the second. The Green and Blue hit 12-of-23 (52.2 percent) triples in the final frame in which they outscored the Lady Bucs 46-35.<\/p>\n

Freshman\u00a0STEPHANIE HAAS\u00a0made the shot that tied the record at the 6:44 mark of the second half and classmateAMANDA MOORE\u00a0drilled a three-pointer with 1:48 left in the game that gave FGCU the all-time mark.<\/p>\n

The NBA record is 23, which was set by the Houston Rockets (Feb. 5, 2013) and Orlando Magic (Jan. 13, 2009). The men\u2019s Division I record is 28 – in 74 attempts – set by Troy on Dec. 10, 1994.<\/p>\n

NATION\u2019S BEST<\/strong><\/p>\n

FGCU\u2019s three-point prowess has been the program\u2019s calling card from day one and the 2012-13 version of the Eagles is no different. Through games played on Feb. 28th, FGCU ranks tied-second in the nation with an average of 9.2 threes per game. As a team, FGCU has drained double-digit threes in 12 games this season.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RANK\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TEAM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3-PT FG\/GAME<\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Creighton\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.5<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 FGCU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.2<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

UT Martin\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.2<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Milwaukee\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.1<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 UConn\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8.8<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THREE IS THE KEY<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 The Green and Blue are 24-4 on the year when they drain six or more shots from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n

\u2022 FGCU is 23-4 this season when they knock down more three-point shots than their opponent.<\/p>\n

200 3\u2019s…AGAIN<\/strong><\/p>\n

With their 10 three-point makes at JU on Feb. 2, the Eagles eclipsed the 200 made triples mark this season. FGCU has recorded 200+ three-pointers in 10 of the last 11 seasons, including nine consecutive.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

GAMEDAY CENTRAL #1 FGCU (25-5, 18-0 A-SUN) vs. #8 KENNESAW ST. (7-23, 3-15 A-SUN) Date:\u00a0Wednesday, March 6, 2013 Time:\u00a012:00 p.m. City:\u00a0Macon, Ga. Site:\u00a0Hawkins Arena (3,200) Live Stats:\u00a0AtlanticSun.org TV:\u00a0ESPN3.com Talent:\u00a0Paul Crane… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[114],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19509"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19509\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}