Shooting lifts FGCU over FIU
MIAMI – With 48.4 percent shooting from the floor, the FGCU women’s basketball team used a high efficiency offense Monday night to defeat Florida International 81-53.
Winning their second road game in three days, the Eagles improve to 3-2 on the season, while the Panthers slip to 1-2.
Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the Eagles continue a string of return games from last season. The next four opponents were featured on last year’s slate.
The Eagles return to Alico Arena for a 7 p.m. matchup against Arkansas State on Saturday. They then travel to Washington, D.C. for a Dec. 3 tilt at No. 24 George Washington and host Harvard on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The string ends on Dec. 12 with a trip to Providence to take on the Friars.
The Eagles went 5-0 against those teams a year ago, including a win over FIU at Alico Arena.
The Eagles struggled in the opening minutes and trailed 6-0, but cut the deficit in the sixth minute on Katie Meador’s layup. Her putback sparked a 20-point run that enabled the Eagles to take control while holding FIU scoreless for over seven minutes.
FGCU shot 50 percent from 3-point range in the second half to maintain the lead and ultimately took a 28-point victory from the in-state foe.
“We’re shooting the ball a little bit better which is really encouraging,” said Eagles coach Karl Smesko. “We’re getting production from more players. Haley Laughter has really stepped up the last few games to give us another scoring punch. I’m proud of the way we took care of the ball and the way we competed on the boards tonight. We’re getting better. The next couple of games are against some of the best teams on our schedule, but I do see improvement.”
Once again Kaneisha Atwater and Laughter led the Eagles’ production with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Atwater shot 50 percent from the floor with two 3-pointers and dished out six assists with six rebounds. Laughter reached double figures for the third straight game with a 7-for-12 shooting performance, including three from long range.
Seniors Stephanie Haas and DyTiesha Dunson also contributed double-digits with 13 and 11 points.
In addition to the well-rounded performance, Atwater scored her 1,000th career point Monday night.
The senior scored 186 points during her freshman year at VCU and added the remaining points in her three seasons with the Eagles. Her mark of 822 points at FGCU ranks 11th all-time, just 17 points behind current assistant coach Chelsea Lyles.