FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — Florida Gulf Coast defeated North Alabama 51-44 in an ASUN Conference women’s basketball game Thursday at Alico Arena. The Eagles used a balanced attack to secure the win in the conference opener for both teams. Nay Staton and Cerina Rolle each scored 10 points for Florida Gulf Coast. Alexsandra Alvarado led North Alabama with 13 points. The Lions led 24-27 at halftime but were held to just six points in the fourth quarter. Florida Gulf Coast pulled away with an 11-6 advantage in the final period. Both teams are now 5-7 overall. Attendance was 1,218.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by offensive inefficiency, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles grinded out a 51-44 victory over the North Alabama Lions in an ASUN Conference women’s basketball opener for both teams on Thursday afternoon at Alico Arena. The game, played before a crowd of 1,218, saw both teams combine to shoot under 33% from the field and commit 31 turnovers. The Eagles improved to 5-7 overall, while the Lions fell to an identical 5-7 mark. North Alabama established an early edge, leading 14-12 after the first quarter behind a quick five points from Alyssa Clutter. The Lions extended their lead to 24-19 with just over six minutes remaining in the second quarter after a Sofia Ceppellotti tip-in. However, the Eagles closed the half on an 8-3 run, fueled by a Cerina Rolle 3-pointer and a Nay Staton jump shot, to knot the score at 27-27 heading into the break. The third quarter proved to be the decisive frame. With the score tied at 31, Florida Gulf Coast’s defense clamped down, holding North Alabama without a field goal for over five minutes. During that span, the Eagles pieced together a 9-0 run. Sinai Douglas converted a pair of free throws, Maca Retamales added two more, and Douglas capped the surge with a transition layup off a steal, giving the home team a 40-31 lead with 1:50 left in the period. The Lions managed to trim the deficit to 40-38 by the end of the quarter after a 3-pointer from Alexsandra Alvarado, but the damage was done. North Alabama’s offensive woes reached a critical point in the fourth quarter. After an India Howard layup cut the Eagles’ lead to 42-40 with 6:55 to play, the Lions proceeded to miss their next 10 field goal attempts. Florida Gulf Coast was not much more prolific, but steadily built its lead at the free-throw line. Eve Alexander hit two foul shots, and after a key block by Alexander on Jazzy Klinge, Cerina Rolle made one of two free throws to push the lead to 45-40. The Lions’ scoring drought lasted nearly six minutes until Gabby Jackson’s layup with 1:07 remaining made it 49-44. Florida Gulf Coast sealed the game at the line, with Karina Gordon and Nay Staton each making a free throw in the final minute. North Alabama’s last gasp saw three missed 3-point attempts in the final 30 seconds. Alvarado led North Alabama with 13 points and five rebounds. Howard added eight points, five rebounds and three assists. For Florida Gulf Coast, Staton and Rolle each scored 10 points, with Staton pulling down seven rebounds. Douglas contributed nine points and four rebounds, while Alexander had eight points, five rebounds and two blocks. Both teams struggled mightily from the perimeter. North Alabama shot just 4 of 23 from 3-point range, while Florida Gulf Coast was 6 of 19. The Eagles won the game at the free-throw line, making 11 of 20 attempts compared to the Lions’ 4-of-9 showing. The most important part of the game was Florida Gulf Coast’s 9-0 run in the third quarter, which turned a tied game into a nine-point lead. This surge, fueled by defensive stops and opportunistic scoring, provided the necessary cushion for the Eagles to withstand North Alabama’s late push and their own offensive inconsistencies down the stretch. The Lions never fully recovered from that stretch, and their prolonged fourth-quarter scoring drought ensured they could not mount a comeback. North Alabama next plays at Stetson on Saturday. Florida Gulf Coast hosts Central Arkansas on Saturday.

Struggling ASUN Foes Meet as North Alabama Visits Florida Gulf Coast FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum to open the new year will meet Thursday when the North Alabama Lions face the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in a women’s basketball matchup at Alico Arena. Both programs enter ASUN Conference play below .500 overall. North Alabama (5-6) has dropped three straight, including a 57-84 loss at Missouri on Dec. 21. Florida Gulf Coast (4-7) is coming off a 44-63 home defeat to Columbia on Monday. The Lions will look to junior guard Jazzy Klinge to spark their offense. Klinge led North Alabama with 8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 21 minutes against Missouri. However, her playing time and production have fluctuated recently. The Eagles counter with forward Nay Staton, who has been a consistent performer. Staton scored 13 points with 5 rebounds against Columbia, her third game in double figures over the last five contests. She posted 12 points at Arkansas State on Dec. 3 and added 9 points and 7 rebounds in a win at Florida Atlantic on Dec. 12. North Alabama’s recent skid followed a 68-66 road victory at Samford on Dec. 7. Beyond Klinge, Gabby Jackson (5 points, 7 rebounds vs. Missouri) and Greta Ramon (12 points vs. Missouri) are key contributors. Florida Gulf Coast’s season has been marked by extremes, including a 120-32 rout of Fort Lauderdale but also a 43-105 loss to South Carolina. Jordan Campbell, who grabbed 9 rebounds against Columbia, provides interior presence alongside Staton. This game begins a critical January conference slate for both sides. North Alabama visits Stetson on Saturday. Florida Gulf Coast hosts Central Arkansas that same day. Thursday’s tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at Alico Arena on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus.