HAWAI’I RAINBOW WAHINE INVITATIONAL (Hosted by Hawai’i) 28 vs. NC State Honolulu, Hawaii 11:00 p.m. 29 at Hawai’i Honolulu, Hawaii 11:55 p.m.30 vs. Alcorn State Honolulu, Hawaii 6:00 p.m.
January2 at Mercer* Macon, Ga. 5:00 p.m.4 at Kennesaw State* Kennesaw, Ga. 4:45 p.m.7 UNF* ALICOARENA 7:30P.M.9 JACKSONVILLE* ALICOARENA 5:15P.M.12 at Belmont* Nashville, Tenn. 8:00 p.m.14 at Lipscomb* Nashville, Tenn. 5:00 p.m.21 at Stetson* DeLand, Fla. 1:00 p.m.26 MERCER* ALICOARENA 7:05P.M.28 KENNESAWSTATE* ALICOARENA 7:30P.M. February2 at UNF* Jacksonville, Fla. 7:00 p.m.4 at Jacksonville* Jacksonville, Fla. 1:00 p.m.9 LIPSCOMB* ALICOARENA 7:05P.M.11 BELMONT* ALICOARENA 7:30P.M.18 STETSON* ALICOARENA 7:05P.M.23 at USC Upstate* Spartanburg, S.C. 5:00 p.m.25 at ETSU* Johnson City, Tenn. 1:30 p.m.
ATLANTIC SUN CHAMPIONSHIP (Hosted by Mercer)29 Quarterfinals (Day 1) Macon, Ga. TBA
*Unanimous Selection**A tie in the voting resulted in an 11-player All-Conferece team
Saturday,December3,2011Mercer at Belmont *, 2:00 p.m. Kennesaw State at Lipscomb *, 2:15 p.m. Jacksonville at North Florida *, 4:30 p.m. ETSU at FGCU *, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday,December4,2011Stetson at Ball State, 1:00 p.m.
Monday,December5,2011Lipscomb at Tennessee Tech, TBA
Tuesday,December6,2011Belmont at Eastern Kentucky, TBA Georgia at Mercer, 7:00 p.m. ETSU at Missouri State, 8:05 p.m.
Wednesday,December7,2011Lipscomb at North Carolina, TBA Thursday,December8,2011FGCU at UCF, 7:00 p.m. Stetson at Georgia Southern, 7:00 p.m.
12/10/2011North Florida at West Virginia, 12:00PM
12/11/2011Stetson at Bethune-Cookman, 2:00PMUSC Upstate at Duke, 2:00PMJacksonville at Bowling Green, 2:00PMETSU at North Carolina, 2:00PM
12/12/2011Kennesaw State at Chattanooga, 7:00PM
12/14/2011Belmont at Chattanooga, 6:00PMKennesaw State at Georgia State, 7:00PMNorth Florida at Florida Atlantic, 7:00PM
12/15/2011Jacksonville State at Jacksonville, 5:00PM
12/16/2011Mississippi at Lipscomb, 6:30PM
12/17/2011USC Upstate at Stetson, 1:00PMTBA at North Florida, 3:30PMUNC Asheville at Kennesaw State, 7:00PM
Atlantic Sun Conference schedule
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 32011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
ABOUTFGCUSchool ..............................................................Florida Gulf Coast UniversityCity/Zip .......................................................................... Fort Myers, FL 33965Founded ............................................................................................................1997Enrollment .................................................................................................. 13,000Nickname ..................................................................................................... EaglesColors .............................................................Emerald Green & Colbalt BlueFacility (Capacity) ..........................................................Alico Arena (4,500)Affiliation ......................................................................... NCAA Division I-AAAConference ...................................................................................... Atlantic SunPresident .........................................................................Dr. Wilson BradshawAthletic Director ....................................................................... Ken KavanaghAthletic Website ..............................................www.FGCUATHLETICS.comAthletic Department Phone ............................................. (239) 590-7012Press Row Phone ....................................................................(239) 745-3657Mailing Address .......................................................................FGCU Athletics.......................................................................................10510 FGCU Blvd. South............................................................................................Fort Myers, FL 33965
FGCUMEDIARELATIONSAsst. Director of Sports Information (WBB) .....................Michael HillEmail .............................................................................................mhill@fgcu.edu Office Phone ............................................................................(239) 590-7064Cell Phone ................................................................................. (248) 752-6627Fax ................................................................................................ (239) 590-7014Best Time to Reach Coach ..................................................... Contact SID
WOMEN’SBASKETBALLINFORMATION2010-11 Overall Record ............................................................................. 28-42010-11 A-Sun Record .........................................................17-3 (1st A-Sun)Home Record ....................................................................................................18-1Road Record ......................................................................................................8-3Neutral .................................................................................................................. 2-0Longest 2010-11 Winning Streak .............................................................. 14Players Returning/Lost ...............................................................................8/3Starters Returning/Lost ..............................................................................4/1Seniors .................................................................................................................... 6Juniors ......................................................................................................................4Sophomores .......................................................................................................... 1Freshmen ................................................................................................................3First Season of Basketball ..............................................................2002-03All-Time Record ........................................................................................ 236-47Division I Record (2007-Current) .................................................... 104-26Atlantic Sun Record (2007-Current) ................................................. 64-12NCAA Tourney Appearances ..................................................2 (Division II) First NCAA Appearance ..................................................2006 (Division II)Last NCAA Appearance ............................2007 (Division II Runner-Up)Conference Tournament Appearances ................................................. N/AWNIT Appearances (Postseason) ..........................................4 (2008-11)WNIT Appearances (Preseason) ................................................... 1 (2009)WNIT Record (Postseason) ........................................................................ 2-4WNIT Record (Preseason) ............................................................................ 1-2
FGCUCOACHINGSTAFFHead Coach .....................................................Karl Smesko (10th Season)Alma Mater ................................................................................ Kent State ‘93FGCU record ............................................................... 236-47 (10th Season)A-Sun Record ...................................................................64-12 (5th Season)Career Record ............................................................ 297-74 (12th Season)
Assistant Coach .....Abby Scharlow (2nd Year/Wisconsin-Green Bay, ‘05)
Assistant Coach ......................Chelsea Dermyer (4th Year/FGCU ‘07)Assistant Coach .............................. Chelsea Lyles (1st Year/FGCU ‘10)Dir. of Basketball Operations .......Mel Thomas (2nd Year/UConn ‘08)
SPORTSINFORMATIONOFFICEThe Florida Gulf Coast University Sports Information Office is located in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in Alico Arena. The Sports Information Office is on the third floor in room 1090.
The sports information staff will assist you to the fullest extent possible in your coverage of the Eagles. Please contact Assistant Sports Information Director Michael Hill with any questions, concerns, or requests.
CREDENTIALSA media credential issued by the Sports Information Office is required in order to gain access to Alico Arena on game days. To request a credential, please contact Michael Hill at (239) 590-7064, or via email at [email protected]. Credential requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance for each game. If time permits, the passes will be mailed. If not, the passes will be left at Will Call, located at the front entrance of Alico Arena.
Photo credentials should be requested in the same manner as media credentials. NCAA policy establishes that only photographers on assignment will be afforded credentials. Designated areas for photographers have been marked on each baseline, all photographers must remain within the designated areas.
WIRELESSINTERNETWireless internet access is available inside of Alico Arena. There is no username or password required to access the internet.
PRESSTABLE&MEDIASEATINGWork space at the press tables in Alico Arena is limited. Space for working writers, television, and radio broadcasters and scouts is located in the press section on the north end of the floor. For larger events, media outlets may be assigned to media tables along the baseline. All seating is assigned.
POST-GAMEPRESSCONFERENCES/INTERVIEWSThe conference room on the third floor of Alico Arena will serve as the interview room for all home games. Head coaches and requested players will be available for post-game interviews after the NCAA-mandated 10 minute “cooling off” period. Please make postgame player interview requests for both teams to FGCU Assistant SID Michael Hill prior to the end of the game.
NON-GAMEDAYINTERVIEWSAll player and coach interviews should be scheduled through the Sports Information Office. We will do our best to coordinate an interview time that is convenient to both the student-athlete or coach and media member. The best time to interview a student-athlete or coach is after practice. Please contact Assistant Sports Information Director Michael Hill to schedule all interviews.
GAMENOTESANDSTATISTICSUp-to-date statistics are available at FGCUAthletics.com. A full PDF version of game notes can be downloaded from the FGCU website or emailed upon request by Michael Hill ([email protected]). Media members can also contact the SID office to be placed on the email distribution list for press releases.
we are fgcuWhen referring to the University, please be aware of the following usage policy. First references to the school and its intercollegiate athletic programs should always be the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles. The only secondary references used should be FGCU, Florida Gulf Coast or Eagles. Please refrain from using Fla. Gulf Cst., Gulf Coast or any other similar combina tion.
quick facts
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FGCU Athletics - @FGCUEaglesCoach Smesko - @FGCUCoachSmeskoSID Mike Hill - @Mike_Hill84
2 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
# Name Ht. Cl. Stats22 Tosha Austin 6-2 Jr. 3.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg
AGAINSTFGCUFGCU has won the last three games in the series and lead the all-time series, 5-2. The last win for the Lady Bucs in the short-lived rivalry was an 88-83 win back on Jan. 16, 2010 in Johnson City.
LADYBUCS’LASTTIMEOUTThe Lady Bucs are coming off an emotional loss to the Hatters where ETSU trailed by as many as 15 points and came back to tie the game twice late in the game.However, the Blue and Gold couldn’t get over the hump as Stetson closed out the final two minutes on a 9-3 run to take the A-Sun opener, 68-60. Senior guard Tarita Gordon broke out of a shooting slump by scoring a team-high 20 points and dishing out four assists on Thursday afternoon, while fellow senior Natalie Pickwell added 11 points and a career-tying nine rebounds. Meanwhile, a few underclassmen stepped up as sophomore Destiny Mitchell and freshman Cara Bowling provided a spark. Mitchell finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, and Bowling – who didn’t register any points – stepped up on the defensive end as she forced a season-high five steals in 12 minutes of work … the loss snapped 12-game winning streak vs. the Hatters for the Lady Bucs, marking Stetson’s first win over the Blue and Gold since Dec. 1, 1995 (second all-time win vs. ETSU).
WINLESSSTARTSThe Lady Bucs are winless through their first seven games to start the season for the first time in program history, dating back to 1968-69 … the last time the LadyBucs lost seven consecutive games in a season was in 2001-02, while the program record for most losses is eight, set in 1991-92.
4 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
3NATION’SBESTFGCU’s three-point prowess has been the program’s calling card from day one and the 2011-12 version of the Eagles is no different. The Eagles lead the nation with an average of 13.0 threes per game, almost two trifectas in front of second place DePaul (11.2). As a team, FGCU has drained double-digit threes in 4 games this season. RANK TEAM 3-PT FG/GAME1. FGCU 13.02. DePaul 11.2 3. Arizona 10.04. Fresno State 9.7
THREEISTHEKEY· The Eagles are 5-0 this season when shooting 23 or more three-pointers.· The Green and Blue are 4-1 on the year when they drain eight or more shots from beyond the arc.· FGCU is 4-1 this season when they knock down more three-point shots than their opponent.
LEADEROFTHEPACKWith 13 of her 15 made field goals coming from beyond the arc this season,KelseyJacobson ranks t-3rd in the A-Sun and t-56th in the nation at 2.6 treys per game. Jacobson knocked down 96-of-249 three-pointers in 2010-11 to also rank fourth in the league at a 38.6 clip. The Barnesville, Minn. native has made multi-threes in 4 of 5 games this season.
RAPIDFIRESurrounding its opponents with a balanced scoring attack, FGCU has knocked down 65 threes this season compared to just 21 from its opponents. Led by KelseyJacobson’s 2.6 trifectas per contest, eight different players made seven or more shots from long range. The Eagles have five players ranked in the A-Sun’s top-15 in 3-point field goals made per game.
MAKINGALIVINGFROMLONGRANGEIt’s no secret that KelseyJacobson is FGCU’s top three-point threat. Through 97 career games, Jacobson has knocked down 262 three-pointers and on Feb. 7, 2011 vs. ETSU, she became FGCU’s all-time leader in three-pointers in just three seasons. Jacobson, who currently holds the Atlantic Sun record for three-pointers in a season (96), has made a three in 53 straight games, 70 of her last 71 contests and 92 of 97 for her career. During her career, Jacobson has made 3+ threes 45 times, 5+ threes on 14 occasions and a career-best of six three times.
3’SPLEASE!In the program’s nine-year history (283) games, FGCU has made at least one three-pointer in 282 contests, including 170 straight. The last and lone time the Eagles didn’t knock down a three was February 21, 2006 at Lynn. During the current 170-game run, the Green and Blue have knocked down 1,646 money balls while their opponents have knocked down 829 threes. In games that it has drained double-digit threes, FGCU is 102-8 all-time and 57-6 since moving to Division I in 2007-08.
HEADANDSHOULDERSABOVETHECOMPETITIONKelseyJacobson has 262 career three-pointers made. She is the nation’s leader (among active players) in career three-pointers, with her closest competition being Jessica Jenkins (243) from St. Bonaventure and Anne Boese (243) from IPFW.
Player (Yr) Team Career 3-pters (Total to start season)KelseyJacobson(Sr.) FGCU 262(249)Jessica Jenkins (Sr.) St. Bonaventure 243 (228) Anne Boese (Sr.) IPFW 243 (222)Jill Young (Sr.) S. Dakota St. 239 (222)Kim Mestdagh (Sr.) Colorado St. 232 (221)Tavelyn James (Sr.) Eastern Michigan 230 (212)
BREAKINGRECORDSThe FGCU women’s basketball team knocked down an all-time NCAA record and 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 Eagles’ 21 three-point ranks them tied for first place tie all-time with New Mexico State. The Aggies drained 21 triples against Louisiana-Lafayette on Feb. 23, 2002. The 21 threes are also an A-Sun record, as FGCU made six treys in the first half and 15 in the second.
AMONGTHEBESTWith at least 23 games remaining in her collegiate career, Kelsey Jacobson is on pace to finish with 331 career three-pointers made, which would rank her top 15 in NCAA Division I history.
THREE-POINTFIELDGOALS PLAYER,TEAM LASTSEASON YRS. G 3FGLaurie Koehn, Kansas St. 2005 4 121 392Erin Thorn, BYU 2003 4 127 391Jaleesa Ross, Fresno St. 2011 4 133 389Dawn Evans, James Madison 2011 4 125 387Kim MacMillan, Long Island/St. John’s (NY) 2004 4 117 379Chynna Bozeman, Morehead St. 2011 4 125 377Julie Krommenhoek, Utah 1998 4 117 362Kelly Mazzante, Penn St. 2004 4 133 357Ivory Latta, North Carolina 2007 4 138 345Alexis Rack, Mississippi St. 2010 4 129 340Valerie King, Cincinnati 2004 4 126 338Cornelia Gayden, LSU 1995 4 110 337Lenae Williams, DePaul 2002 4 116 330Maggie McCloskey, Loyola Chicago 2010 4 115 325T.J. Jordan, Old Dominion 2008 4 129 323Audrey McDonald, Ball St. 2010 4 127 323Courtney Waldon, Chicago St. 2011 4 122 319Amanda Peterson, UAB 2011 4 126 319Diana Taurasi, Connecticut 2004 4 144 318Karen Middleton, South Carolina 1991 4 128 317Wendi Willits, Arkansas 2001 4 131 316Jennifer Howard, North Carolina St. 1997 4 117 315Brooke Hand, Chattanooga 2008 4 127 315Katie Tull, Charleston 2011 4 112 314Narissa Suber, Drexel 2008 4 119 312KelseyJacobson,FGCU Present 4th 97 262
FGCURANKED#8INMID-MAJORPOLLThe Florida Gulf Coast women’s basketball team earned the No. 8 spot in the CollegeInsider.com Women’s Mid-Major Top 25 poll, announced on Tuesday evening (Nov. 29). The Eagles were ranked No. 11 in last week’s mid-major poll.
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, West Coast Conference.
The Green and Blue are the lone Atlantic Sun Conference team represented in this week’s Top 25.
FGCUVS.BCSOPPONENTSFGCU is 6-10 all-time against BCS foes. Five of the Eagles’ six wins over BCS opponents have come at Alico Arena.
GETTIN’LOVEFROMESPNIn the second edition of the mid-major top 10 written by ESPN’s Graham Hayes, the Eagles picked up the No. 6 spot. The mid-major top 10 returns with the same ground rules. All conferences beyond the BCS six (ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC) qualify for consideration.
Here’s what Hayes said about FGCU:6. Florida Gulf Coast (3-1)The season began with a missed opportunity in a 57-51 loss at Seton Hall, but if not exactly a threat in the Big East, Anne Donovan’s team is perhaps no longer a mere speed bump. And the Eagles made up for that Seton Hall result with a 59-58 win against Michigan State the week before Thanksgiving behind 20 points and 13 rebounds from Sarah Hansen. Like more than a few markswomen, Kelsey Jacobsen is off to a slow start from the 3-point line, whether or not it’s related to the new distance. But well-regarded freshman Whitney Knight is filling the void (5-of-11).
the art of the three...written by fgcu women’s basketball
national Recognition
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 52011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
LAST TIME OUT: EAGLES HAVE RECORD NIGHT AGAINST WEBBER INTERNATIONAL (NOV. 28)
FORTMYERS,Fla.- Senior Kelsey Jacobson scored her 1,000th career point and the FGCU women’s
basketball team (4-1) tied the NCAA record for three-pointers made in a single game with 21, en route to
a 106-27 win over NAIA foe Webber International (0-7) on Monday night at Alico Arena. • Jacobson, who
now has 1,007 career-points, became the fourth player in program history to score 1,000 career points
when she drained a three-pointer with 7:28 left in the first half. • The Eagles’ 21 three-point ranks them
tied for first place tie all-time with New Mexico State. The Aggies drained 21 triples against Louisiana-
Lafayette on Feb. 23, 2002. The 21 threes are also an A-Sun record, as FGCU made six treys in the first
half and 15 in the second. • Amber Rechis finished with a game-high 26 points in 26 minutes on 10-of-17
shooting from the field. Freshman Whitney Knight filled the stat sheet, recording career-highs in points
(20), rebounds (15), assists (8) and blocks (6). Senior Eglah Griffin chipped in with 13 points. Senior
Nicoya Jackson poured in 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
ATAGLANCEFGCU, fresh off a 106-27 blowout over Webber International where senior KelseyJacobson (Barnesville, Minn./Moorhead HS) scored her 1,000th career point and the Green and Blue tied the NCAA record for three-pointers made in a single game with 21, will look to open A-Sun Conference play with a win Saturday night when they welcome ETSU to Alico Arena. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. and is the second part of a doubleheader with the men’s program.
UPNEXTFollowing the ETSU game, the Eagles will head to UCF (Dec. 8), the defending Conference USA champs, for a non-conference matchup at UCF Arena.
D-1TESTED&NOWAPPROVEDOn August 12, 2011, all 14 of FGCU’s Division I sports became postseason eligible when the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved the recommendation from the NCAA Division I Administration Cabinet to elect FGCU to Division I active membership. FGCU began its transition into Division I in 2007-08. The Eagles are now eligible for Atlantic Sun postseason play and NCAA Tournament.
FGCUINDECEMBER• FGCU has a 48-12 all-time record in games played in November.• Since moving to Division I in 2007-08 the Eagles hold a 17-4 record in the month of December.
FGCUINHOMEOPENERSThe Eagles own a 9-1 record in home openers, with the lone loss coming at the hands of Florida State in the 2006-07 home opener. FGCU defeted Seton Hall 64-57 in the 2010-11 home opener and knocked off Michigan State 59-58 this year.
FGCUINATLANTICSUNCONFERENCEOPENERSThe Eagles are 2-2 in A-Sun openers, with all four of those contests coming on the road. In the 2010-11 conference opener, FGCU defeated UNF 73-51 on Dec. 2, 2010.
AWAYFROMHOMEFGCU has a 78-28 all-time record as the visiting team. Since moving to Division I, the Eagles have compiled a 34-21 road record.
HANSENEARNSCOLLEGESPORTSMADNESSPLAYEROFTHEWKAfter leading the Eagles to a thrilling 59-58 win over defending Big Ten champion Michigan State last week, sophomore SarahHansen earned College Sports Madness’ Atlantic Sun Women’s
Basketball Player of the Week, the website announced on Tuesday (Nov. 23).
Hansen knocked down a clutch free-throw with 0.4 seconds left on the clock to lift the Green and Blue to possibly the program’s biggest upset, a 59-58 victory over Michigan State in front of 3,108 fans at Alico Arena. The Edinboro, Pa. native gave the Spartans problems all night and recorded her second double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes. She shot 5-of-8 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the charity stripe.
WEMUSTPROTECTTHISHOUSEFGCU is 140-10 all-time at home. Since moving to Division I, the Eagles have compiled a 62-4 home record.
HOMECOOKIN’Alico Arena has become one of the most intimidating places for opposing teams in all of Division I women’s basketball. The Eagles have accumulated a 62-4 record on their home court since moving to Division I, good for a .9394 winning percentage and the third highest all-time winning percentage at home. Tennessee and UConn rank first and second all-time in winning percentage at home (Thompson-Boling Arena) and (Gampel Pavilion).
Arenas (all-time)(Must have played in at least 50 games in the arena)1) Thompson-Boling Arena (Tennessee: 1987-present) 344-21 (.9425)2) Gampel Pavilion (Connecticut: 1990-present) 272-17 (.9412)3) Alico Arena (FGCU: 2002-persent) 62-4 (.9394)3) Memorial Gym (La. Tech: 1974-1981) 84-6 (.9333)4) XL Center (Connecticut: 1980-present) 119-11 (.9154)5) Thomas Assembly Center (La. Tech: 1982-present) 404-41 (.9079)
6 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
THEREALBIGTHREESarahHansen, NicoyaJackson andKelseyJacobsonhave combined to account for 51.5 percent (38.8 points per game) of FGCU’s scoring. The trio is also shooting .412 (63-of-153) from the floor and .300 (27-of-90) from long distance.
BALANCEDATTACKWith three players averaging double figure points and four more at 7.4 points per game or higher, FGCU is second the A-Sun in scoring at a 75.4 per game clip. The Eagles have scored 80 or more points three times this season and are the only A-Sun team with a scoring margin larger than 3.0 points (+19.2). Three different players have led the Blue and Green in scoring this season, led by three from SarahHansen, one from NicoyaJacksonand one from AmberRechis.
PROTECTINGTHEROCKShooting an A-Sun-best 40.4 percent from the field, the Eagles lead the league with a +7.00 turnover margin. NicoyaJackson, who ranks 2nd in the A-Sun in assists (4.4), leads the conference in assist/turnover ratio at +2.8. CourtneyChihilis right behind Jackson in second place with a +1.8 ratio while ranking ninth in the A-Sun at 3.2 assists per game.
BOOMGOESTHEDYNAMITEThe Eagles defeated Webber International 106-27 on Nov. 28, 2011 at home, which was the 9th time in the history of the program and 2nd time since moving to Division I that the team has scored 100+ points in a single game.
Prior to the Webber Int’l game the last time that FGCU broke the century mark was February 5, 2009 at USC Upstate (W, 102-53).
1,000POINTCLUBKelseyJacobson became the fourth player in program history to score 1,000 career points when she drained a three-pointer with 7:28 left in the first half in the Green and Blue’s 106-27 win over Webber International on Nov. 28, 2011.
Jacobson, who currently has 1,007 points, ranks 4th in the FGCU record books behind Adrianne McNally (1,415), Shannon Murphy (1,185) and Kate Schrader (1,062).
ONEWOMANWOLFPACKPlaying in just her fifth career game, freshman WhitneyKnight came very close to becoming the first player in FGCU history to register a triple-double against Webber International (Nov. 28). Knight’s dominating performance on both ends of the court featured 20 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists and six blocks in 26 minutes. Her six blocks were rank her t-3rd all-time in the FGCU record books for blocks in a single game.
ANDTHEWEEKLYAWARDSGOTO...Senior NicoyaJacksonand sophomore SarahHansenare the lone Eagles to earn a weekly awards so far this season.
COLLEGESPORTSMADNESS’A-SUNPLAYEROFTHEWEEKSarahHansen(Nov.22)· First Career Player of the Week award· Knocked down a clutch free-throw with 0.4 seconds left on the clock to lift the Green and Blue to possibly the program’s biggest upset, a 59-58 victory over Michigan State· Recorded her second double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes
A-SUNPLAYEROFTHEWEEKNicoyaJackson(Nov.15)· First Career Player of the Week award· Totaled a career-high 29 points in a 80-72 win at FIU on Monday· Drained six three-pointers in the game and added two rebounds and two assists· At Seton Hall, Jackson scored eight with five rebounds, five assists and three steals
CONGRATSCOACHDERMYERAssistant coach ChelseaDermyer has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Mid-Major women’s college basketball assistant coaches in the nation, according to the website CollegeInsider.com. The list took into account a variety of factors including an assistant coach’s work ethic, servant’s mentality, reputation amongst peers, longevity and success with the program, reliability, attention to detail, recruiting skills, basketball knowledge and future potential.
The article was penned by Jason Belzer, who wrote of Dermyer: “ The former Florida Gulf Coast standout player joined the coaching ranks in 2008 and has since been instrumental in developing four first-team and two second-team All-Conference players. During the 2010-11 season, Dermyer helped lead the Eagles to the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title and an automatic bid to the WNIT, after posting a 28-4 overall record.”
Dermyer was listed as No. 21 on the list. She was the only coach from the Atlantic Sun Conference to make the list.
PICKIN’UPPRESEASONHARDWAREThe FGCU women’s basketball squad, led by preseason All-Conference selections senior CourtneyChihil and redshirt sophomore SarahHansen, earned top billing in the Atlantic Sun Conference preseason coaches’ and media polls, the conference announced on Oct. 11.
In the coaches’ poll, FGCU’s took eight of the 10 first place votes, with ETSU and Belmont each picking up one vote. In the media poll, the Eagles received all 19 first place votes.
For the first time in conference history, the A-Sun let the fans decide preseason awards via Facebook. Belmont’s Haley Nelson was picked as the Preseason Player of the Year, while the Bruins were also picked to win the regular-season title. Chihil was tabbed the fan’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Hansen was also named to the CollegeSportsMadness.com Preseason Atlantic Sun All-Conference First Team.
A-SUNREGULARSEASONCHAMPS...AGAINFor the second time since moving to Division I in 2007-08, FGCU captured a regular-season championship. The Eagles won the 2010-11 A-Sun regular season crown with a 17-3 record against conference competition.
The Green and Blue won their first league regular-season title in 2008-09 with a 17-3 conference record. The Eagles finished the 08-09 campaign with a 26-5 overall record and lost to eventual champion USF (88-81 OT) in the second round of the WNIT in Tampa, Fla.The Eagles have won 13+ A-Sun games in four straight seasons. FGCU is 64-12 (.842) in conference play over the last four years and has won 27 of its last 32 Atlantic Sun regular season games
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 72011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
over the past two seasons.
FOUR-STRAIGHTPOSTSEASONWNITAPPEARANCESThe Eagles qualified for their 4th-straight postseason, advancing to the WNIT Second Round. FGCU, who has received four automatic bids to the WNIT, holds a 3-4 record in the postseason tourney, including wins over USF, George Washington and Drexel.
SEVENCONSECUTIVE21-WINSEASONSThe Eagles posted its seventh-straight 21-win season in 2010-11, going 28-4. FGCU’s 28 wins were fourth most wins in program history.
The lone season that the Green and Blue failed to win 21 games was during the 2003-04 campaign, where the Eagles went 18-8.Over the seven-year span, FGCU has accumulated 202 wins and 45 losses.
EARLYSTARTThe Green and Blue’s opener on Nov. 11, marked the program’s second earliest calendar start. The 2007-08 season began on Nov. 9 with a home game vs. Florida State.
FGCUINSEASONOPENERSThe Eagles own a 7-3 record in season openers, but are just 0-2 in season openers on the road.
IFYOUDIDN’TKNOW...NOWYOUKNOWSarahHansen signed with FGCU on April 27, 2009, but utilized a redshirt during the 2009-10 season. Hansen took all of the 2010-11 campaign to work on her game and become comfortable in Coach Smesko’s offense and it payed dividends in 2010-11.Hansen finished the season ranking first on the team in field goal pct. (.524) and rebounds (5.8 rpg) and scoring (13.3 ppg). The redshirt-freshman’s .524 shooting percentage led the A-Sun and ranked her t-36th in the nation with UConn’s Maya Moore.
EXCUSEMEMR.CHAIRMANFGCU women’s basketball coach KarlSmesko will serve as the chairman of the voting panel for CollegeInsider.com’s Women’s Basketball Mid-Major Top 25 Poll for the second consecutive year.
Over a decade after creating the Mid-Major Top 25 for D-I men’s basketball, CollegeInsider.com has joined forces with the Atlantic Sun Conference to establish the women’s Mid-Major Top 25.
NEWTOTHECOACHINGSTAFF...FAMILARTOTHEPROGRAMCoach Smesko’s young and talented staff got even younger when former FGCU standout ChelseaLyles was added named an assistant coach in July 2011.
Lyles played for coach Smesko from 2008-2010 where she helped the Eagles win one A-Sun regular season crown and earn back-to-back WNIT automatic bids. A two-time A-Sun All-Conference first team selection, she led the Eagles to a 50-12 overall record and 34-6 conference record in her two seasons in the blue and green. Lyles ranks fifth in the FGCU career record books in field goals made (273) and three-point field goals made (113), and sixth in points (839) and rebounds (337).
The recipient of the FGCU Athletic Department’s 2009-10 Most Outstanding Female Student-Athlete Award, Lyles led the Eagles to non-conference wins over UCF, Cornell, George Washington, Texas El-Paso (UTEP), Tulsa and Florida.
FRESHFACESFive newcomers join the Eagles for ’10-11. That list includes two true freshmen (WhitneyKnight and AnthiChatzigiakoumi). Transfers JoyceIamstrong, AutumnLau, and ShaylaBall also join the program.
Knight, the programs first-ever top 100 recruit, was rated as high as 19th nationally at the guard position and 73rd overall in the recruiting class of 2011 by ESPN’s HoopGurlz. Knight, who had over 120 scholarship offers and chose FGCU over Duke, North Carolina and West Virginia. The 6-foot-2 combo guard, a participant in USA Basketball tryouts, averaged 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.6 blocks per game and led the Demons to an 18-8 overall record as a senior.
Chatzigiakoumi, a native of Athens, Greece, will join the Eagles after having a successful amateur career in Greece. Last year at the U-18 European Championships she ranked second on the team with 13.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 29.3 minutes for Greece. The 6’1 forward, who ranked second in three-point field goals made per game (2.4) among all players at the U-18 European Championships, had solid games against Portugal (19 pts., 8 reb.), Denmark (20 pts., 8 reb.) and Belarus (25 pts., 6 reb.) en route to leading Greece to a third place finish in Division B.
Iamstrong received MCCAC All-Conference and NJCAA All-Region XVI honors last season after averaging 14.4 points, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals, while shooting 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from the three-point line. The rising junior was selected as Jefferson College’s 2010-11 Scholar Athlete of the Year after maintaining a 3.82 grade-point average and also earned the Missouri Community College Association Student Leadership Award in 2010.
Lau, a NEC All-Freshmen team selection in 2009-10, led the Terriers in multiple categories, including points (12.2), rebounds (5.2) and three-point field goals made per game (1.7) last year. The 5-foot-10 forward shot 34 percent from the behind the arc and averaged 12.5 points and 5.7 rebounds over two seasons (58 games) at St. Francis.
Ball comes to FGCU after starring at Clackamas College (Oregon City, Ore.), which is in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. Ball led the Cougars to back-to-back region championships and was named Southern Region MVP after averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.6 steals, and 3.1 assists per game during the 2010-11 regular season. The 5’11 guard, shot 48.2 percent from the floor and 43.1 percent from three-point range, while scoring 896 points and grabbing 478 rebounds in two years Clackamas CC.
EAGLESINKFIVETONLI’SHead Coach Karl Smesko announced that Katie Meador, Taylor Gradinjan, DyTiesha Dunson, Jamie Gluesing and Bethany Murrell will join the Eagles next season.
Meador, a 5-11 wing at Salem Communuity High School in Salem, Ill., averaged 19.3 points and 9.6 rebounds and recorded 14 double-doubles as a junior.
Gradinjan, a 5-9 guard, was a first team All-State selection as a junior at Cudahy High School, averaging 20.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.3 assists per game.
8 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Dunson, a 5-8 guard, is rated the 59th-best player at her position by ESPN and averaged 16.8 points, 3.4 steals and 2.9 assists while shooting 43 percent from the floor, 45 percent from behind the 3-point line and 82 percent from the free-throw line.
Gluesing, who took visits to Cleveland State, Youngstown State, St. Francis (Pa.), Pitt and St. Bonaventure before choosing FGCU, averaged 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.0 blocks a game as a junior.
Murrell, who picked FGCU over Miami (OH), Ball State and Valparaiso, averaged 16.7 points as a junior, hitting 75 percent of her free throws and 36 percent from three-point range. She also averaged 6.4 rebounds per game.
SUPERLATIVESBiggest FGCU lead ................... 81, vs. Webber International (Nov. 28, 2011)Biggest FGCU deficit ............................................17, @ Seton Hall (Nov.11, 2011)Biggest FGCU halftime lead .........38, vs. Webber International (Nov. 28, 2011)
Biggest FGCU halftime deficit .........................4, @ Seton Hall (Nov. 11, 2011)Best 1st half FG Pct .....................................60%, vs. Richmond (Nov. 25, 2011)Worst 1st half FG Pct ...................................21.7%, @ Seton Hall (Nov. 11, 2011)Best 2nd half FG Pct ....... 52.8%, vs. Webber International (Nov. 28, 2011)Worst 2nd half FG Pct ..........................26..1%, vs. Michigan St (Nov. 19, 2011)Most 1st half points ........................................48, vs. Richmond (Nov. 25, 2011)Fewest 1st half points .......................................15, @ Seton Hall (Nov. 11, 2011)Most 2nd half points ............. 60, vs. Webber International (Nov. 28, 2011)Fewest 2nd half points...............................20, vs. Michigan St (Nov. 19, 2011)Most 1st half pts by Opponent ..................36, vs. Richmond (Nov. 25, 2011)Fewest 1st half pts by Opponent .... 8, vs. Webber International (Nov. 28, 2011)
Most 2nd half pts by Opponent .................................43, @ FIU (Nov. 14, 2011)Fewest 2nd half pts by Opponent ... 19, vs. Webber International (Nov. 28, 2011)
November ........................................................................4-1December ......................................................................0-0January ............................................................................0-0February .........................................................................0-0March ...............................................................................0-0
during the day .............................................................0-0at night ............................................................................4-1
One score in double-digits .....................................0-1Two score in double-digits .....................................1-0Three+ score in double-digits ................................3-0
Scoring first ..................................................................3-0Opponent scores first ...............................................1-1
Leading at halftime ...................................................4-0Trailing at halftime ......................................................0-1Tied at halftime ..........................................................0-0
Leading with 5 minutes left ..................................4-0Trailing with 5 minutes left ....................................0-1Tied with 5 minutes left .......................................... 0-0
FGCU had more points in the paint .................... 2-0Opponent has more pts. in the paint ................. 2-1Points in the paint are even...................................0-0
FGCU has more points off turnovers .................3-0Opponent has more pts. off TO .............................0-1Points off turnovers are even ................................1-0
FGCU has more second chance points .............. 2-1Opponent has more 2nd chance pts. ................ 2-0Second chance points are even ..........................0-0
FGCU has more fast break points .........................1-1Opponent has more fast break pts. ................... 2-0Fast break points are even .....................................1-0
FGCU has more bench points .................................3-1Opponent has more bench points .......................1-0Bench points are even ..............................................0-0
FGCU has more rebounds .........................................3-1Opponent has more rebounds ...............................1-0Rebounds are even .....................................................0-0
FGCU has more assists .............................................4-1Opponent has more assists ..................................0-0Assists are even ..........................................................0-0
FGCU has more blocks ..............................................3-0Opponent has more blocks ......................................1-1Blocks are even ............................................................0-0
FGCU has more steals ................................................3-1Opponent has more steals ......................................1-0Steals are even ............................................................0-0
FGCU has more turnovers ....................................... 2-0Opponent has more turnovers .............................. 2-1Turnovers are even .....................................................0-0
FGCU has a higher FG% ............................................. 2-0Opponent has a higher FG% .................................... 2-1FG% is even ....................................................................0-0
FGCU has a higher FT% .............................................3-0Opponent has a higher FT% .....................................1-1FT% is even .....................................................................0-0
FGCU has a higher 3FG% ..........................................4-0Opponent has a higher 3FG% .................................0-13FG% is even ..................................................................0-0
FGCU makes more 3-pt. FG ......................................4-1Opponent makes more 3FGs .................................0-03-pt. field goals made are even ...........................0-0
In games decided by...1-5 ........................................................................................1-06-10 ......................................................................................1-111-15 ....................................................................................1-016-20 .................................................................................0-021+ ........................................................................................1-0
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 132011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
2011-12 NUMERICAL ROSTERNo. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown/PreviousSchool 3 Brittany Kennedy# G 5-7 R-Jr. Spokane, Wash./Lewis and Clark HS/Oregon State5 Sarah Hansen G 5-10 R-So. McKean, Pa./General McLane HS10 Kelsey Jacobson G 5-8 Sr. Barnesville, Minn./Moorhead HS13 Anthi Chatzigiakoumi F 6-1 Fr. Athens, Greece/General Sr. HS of Kallithea14 Lerrin Cook G 5-10 Sr. Kearny, Ariz./Ray HS/Yavapai College15 Whitney Knight G 6-3 Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C./R.J. Reynolds HS20 Sarah Whitfield F 5-11 Sr. Eugene, Ore./South Eugene HS/Lane CC21 Courtney Chihil G 5-8 Sr. Tipp City, Ohio/Alter HS22 Nicoya Jackson G 5-6 Sr. Houston, Texas/Cypress Springs HS/Southwestern Christian24 Eglah Griffin G 5-8 Sr. Fort Myers, Fla./Dunbar HS/Seminole CC25 Amber Rechis G 5-8 R-Fr. Martin, Tenn./Westview HS30 Joyce Iamstrong G 5-9 Jr. Chicago, Ill./Thornton Fractional South HS/Jefferson College32 Shayla Ball G 5-11 Jr. Hillsboro, Ore./Hillsboro HS/Clackamas CC42 Autumn Lau^ F 5-10 Jr. Mt. Wolf, Penn./Northeastern HS/St. Francis College (NY)
^ - Will sit out the 2011-12 season due to NCAA Division I transfer rules# - Will be eligible after the 1st academic semester
COACHING STAFFHeadCoach Karl Smesko 10th Season Kent State ‘93AssistantCoach Abby Scharlow 2nd Season Wisconsin-Green Bay ‘05AssistantCoach Chelsea Dermyer 4th Season FGCU ‘07AssistantCoach Chelsea Lyles 1st Season FGCU ‘10DirectorofBasketballOperations Mel Thomas 2nd Season UConn ‘08
Joyce Iamstrong......................... I Am StrongAutumn Lau ................................... La-ow (Lau rhymes with wow)Amber Rechis ............................... Reaches
14 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
COACHINGEXPERIENCE• Head Coach, FGCU, 2001-Present • Head Coach, Indiana-Purdue/Fort Wayne, 1999-2001 • Assistant Coach, Maryland, 1998-99 • Head Coach, Walsh University, 1997-98
COACHINGHONORS• Mid-Ohio Conference Coach of the Year (1998) • NAIA National Coach of the Year (1998) • Division II South Region Coach of the Year (2007) • A-Sun Coach of the Year (2009, 2011)
Smesko’sCareerYear-By-yearTotal:297-74
AtWalsh:29-5(.853)/1season1997-98 29-5 (NAIA National Champs)
AtFGCU:236-47/10seasons2002-03 30-12003-04 18-82004-05 21-92005-06 29-22006-07 34-1 (Division II Nat’l Runner-Up)2007-08 22-9 (WNIT)2008-09 26-5 (A-Sun Reg. Season Champions/WNIT)2009-10 24-7 (WNIT) 2010-11 28-4 (A-Sun Reg. Season Champions/WNIT)2011-12 4-1
KARL
Head Coach - 10th seasonSMESKO
14 2011-12FGCUwomen’sBasketball
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 152011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
2012
- 1997-98 - Head Coach- 1998 NAIA DII Nat’l Champion
Maryland- 1998-99 - Assistant Coach
Walsh University
Florida Gulf Coast- 2001-Present - Head Coach- 2007 DII Nat’l Runner-Up- 2008-09 A-Sun Reg. Season Champs- 2008-09 A-Sun Coach of the Year- 2010-11 A-Sun Reg. Season Champs- 2010-11 A-Sun Coach of the Year
- 1999-2001 - Head Coach
IPFW
Karl Smesko, who is in his tenth year on the bench at FGCU, has enjoyed a tremendous run as the head women’s basketball coach at Florida Gulf Coast University. He was selected as the university’s first women’s basketball coach in 2001.
Smesko’s career coaching record, which includes one year at Walsh, two seasons at IPFW and his nine seasons at FGCU, stands at 297-74 and he owns an amazing 11-2 record (.846) in national tournament games. His record at FGCU is an astounding 236-47 and his four-season record in Atlantic Sun Conference matchups is 64-12 (.842).
The offensive guru, who was ranked fourth on a list honoring the top Mid-Major head coaches in NCAA Division I by the National Women’s Basketball Insider website in August on 2010, led the Blue and Green to a 28-4 overall record (17-3 A-Sun), en route to being named A-Sun Coach of the Year and securing the program’s eighth 21-plus win season in the nine-year program history, along with a second Atlantic Sun Conference regular season crown and a fourth consecutive automatic bid to the WNIT. During the 2010-11 campaign, the Eagles led the nation in three point field goals made per game, as Shannon Murphy picked up first team all-conference honors and Sarah Hansen earned second team all-conference and was named to the A-Sun All-Freshmen squad. FGCU also extended their home winning streak to 42 games in 2010-11, which at the time was the third longest in the nation behind UConn and Stanford, before dropping a highly competitive game to SEC foe Florida, 74-69, in front of a Alico Arena record crowd of 4,543 in the second round of the WNIT.
Smesko saw Chelsea Lyles earn first team all-conference honors, while Adrianne McNally and Shannon Murphy were named to the second team, as the Eagles posted 24 wins in 2009-10, to secure the program’s seventh 21-plus win season in the eight-year program history, along with a second place finish in the Atlantic Sun Conference. FGCU received the program’s first invitation to play in the preseason WNIT, where they advanced to the second round with a win over UTEP before falling to New Mexico and Georgia Tech, and also secured their third consecutive postseason WNIT automatic bid. By participating in the 2010 postseason WNIT, FGCU became the first A-Sun school to make three consecutive WNIT appearances. During the 2009-10 season, the Blue and Green also extended its home winning streak to 24 games, which ranks as the fourth longest home winning streak in Division I women’s basketball heading into the 2010-11 campaign.
In 2008-09, Smesko, who was voted A-Sun Coach of the Year, led the Eagles to a Regular Season Atlantic Sun Championship with a 17-3 record. FGCU led the A-Sun in scoring, scoring margin, field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, assists, assist-to-turnover ratio, and three-point field goals made during the 2008-09 season. The Eagles also cemented a place in the All-Time A-Sun record books by winning 17 conference games. The Eagles lost to eventual champion USF in the second round of the WNIT and finished the 2008-09 season with an overall record of 26-5, with first team all-conference selections Adrianne McNally and Chelsea Lyles and A-Sun Freshman of the Year Kelsey Jacobson leading the way.
In the Eagles first Division I season, Smesko led the women’s basketball team to a second place finish in the A-Sun with a 13-3 record. They were the fifth best offensive team in the A-Sun as well as the second best defense. They were second in free throw percentage and third in field goal percentage. The Eagles, who saw Delia De La Torre and Chelsea Dermyer earn second team All-Atlantic Sun honors, lost to UF in the second round of the WNIT and finished the 2007-08 season with an overall record of 22-8.
He guided the Eagles to the Division II NCAA tournament twice. The 2006-07 team finished the regular season undefeated and ranked number one in the nation. The team won the South Region championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship game. The Eagles were National Runner up and finished with a 34-1 record. Smesko was named South Region Coach of the Year. Coach Smesko is one of an elite group of coaches who has taken a team at two different universities to the national championship game (Smesko guided Walsh University to an NAIA National Championship in 1998). The 2006-07 squad ranked in the top 20 nationally in a remarkable 12 categories: #1 in win-loss percentage, #1 in scoring margin, #2 three-point field goals per game, #2 scoring defense, #3 three-point field goal percentage, #5 scoring offense, #6 assists per game, #8 field-goal percentage, #8 field-goal percentage defense, #11 steals per game, #18 turnovers per game, and #20 in rebound margin.
In his first season at FGCU, Smesko guided the 2002-03 Eagles squad to a 30-1 record. The Eagles followed with an 18-8 mark in 2003-04 and a 21-9 mark in 2004-05. Smesko led the Eagles to the NCAA tournament and a 29-2 record in 2005-06. FGCU advanced to the regional semifinals with a win against Rollins.
Prior to taking the helm at FGCU, Smesko spent two seasons turning around the program at Indiana-Purdue/Fort Wayne from 1999 to 2001. Inheriting a team that had posted a 2-24 the previous season and an 8-44 record the previous two seasons prior to his arrival, Smesko sparked an 11-win improvement and a 13-14 record in 1999-2000. In his second season Smesko’s team posted the third-most wins in school history with a 19-8 mark.
Smesko started his college coaching career at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio in 1997-98. He led the Cavaliers to the 1998 NAIA Division II National Championship with a 29-5 mark, a 12-win improvement over the previous year. Smesko, whose team had been predicted to finish sixth in the nine-team Mid-Ohio Conference, was named the Mid-Ohio Conference and NAIA National Coach of the Year. It was the first national championship in school history. He spent the 1998-99 season as an assistant coach for the University of Maryland in the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference.
Smesko, a native of Bath, Ohio who now resides in Fort Myers, was a 1993 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Kent State and earned his master’s degree from Walsh University in 1998.
2011-12FGCUwomen’sBasketball
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16 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions1616
Spokane, Wash.
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2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 172011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Spokane, Wash. • Lewis and Clark HS/Oregon State
brittany kennedy R-junior guard 5-73
Transfer from Oregon State will be eligible after the 1st academic semester ...
IndividualIndividualIndividualIndividual Career Career Career Career History History History History
season/career highs
2011-12 notes
career totals (08-10: Oregon State)
2011-12 game-by-game statsPointsSeason: N/ACareer: 9, vs. UNC (Nov. 29, 2008)FieldGoalsSeason: N/ACareer: 4, vs. Portland St. (Dec. 7, 2008)FreeThrowsSeason: N/ACareer: 4, on three occasions3-PointFieldGoalsSeason: N/ACareer: 1, on seven occasionsReboundsSeason: N/ACareer: 6, vs. Cal St Bakersfield (Dec. 21, 2008)AssistsSeason: N/ACareer: 7, at Washington St. (Mar. 7, 2010)BlocksSeason: N/ACareer: 1, at Houston Baptist (Nov. 22, 2009)StealsSeason: N/ACareer: 6, vs. UC Irvine (Dec. 15, 2009)MinutesSeason: N/ACareer: 41, at California (Jan. 23, 2010)
18 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
McKean, Pa. • General McLane HS
sarah hansen
Earned PreseasonAll-Conference honors ... named to the CollegeSportsMadness.comPreseasonAtlanticSunAll-ConferenceFirstTeam ... recorded a double-double with 14 points and a career-high 13 rebounds at Seton Hall (Nov. 11) ... scored 11 points and snagged seven boards at FIU (Nov. 14) ... scored 20 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes and knocked down a clutch free-throw with 0.4 seconds left on the clock to lift the Green and Blue to a 59-58 victory over Michigan State (Nov. 19) ... named CollegeSportsMadness.comA-SunPlayeroftheWeek(Nov. 22) ... scored 20 points Richmond (Nov. 25) ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
HANSEN, Sarah
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
season/career highsPointsSeason: 20, on two occasionsCareer: 27, vs. SIUE (Mar. 6, 2011)FieldGoalsSeason: 7, vs. Richmond (Nov. 25, 2011) Career: 12, vs. SIUE (Mar. 6, 2011)FreeThrowsSeason: 9 , vs. Mich. St. (Nov. 19, 2011)Career: 9 , vs. Mich. St. (Nov. 19, 2011)3-PointFieldGoalsSeason: 1, on three occasionsCareer: 2, on three occasions ReboundsSeason: 13, on two occasionsCareer: 13, on two occasionsAssistsSeason: 2, on three occasionsCareer: 5, @ Mercer (Feb. 12, 2011)BlocksSeason: 1, @ Seton Hall (Nov. 11, 2011)Career: 3, vs. Jacksonville (Feb. 24, 2011)StealsSeason: 3, vs. Richmond (Nov. 25, 2011)Career: 4, on two occasions MinutesSeason: 39, @ Seton Hall (Nov. 11, 2011)Career: 39, @ Seton Hall (Nov. 11, 2011)
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 192011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Barnesville, Minn. • Moorhead HS
kelsey jacobson senior guard 5-810
Has knocked down 262 three-pointers through 97 career games ... currently holds the Atlantic Sun record for three-pointers in a season (96) … became FGCU’s all-time leader in three-pointers in just three seasons ... has made a three in 53 straight games, 70 of her last 71 contests and 92 of 97 for her career … has made 3+ threes 45 times, 5+ threes on 14 occasions and a career-best of six three times during her career.
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
JACOBSON, Kelsey
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
Scored six points on 2-of-7- shooting from long range in the season opener at Seton Hall (Nov. 11) ... finished with a career-high 22 points at FIU (Nov. 14) ... scored 11 points vs. Richmond (Nov. 25) ... became the fourth player in program history to score 1,000 career points when she drained a three-pointer with 7:28 left in the first half against Webber International (Nov. 28) ...
2011-12 Notes
20 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Athens, Greece • General Sr. HS of Kallithea
anthi chatzigiakoumi
Made her collegiate debut at Seton Hall in the 2011-12 season opener (Nov. 11) ... scored her first collegiate points vs. Webber International and finished with five rebounds, four points and three assists ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
CHATZIGIAKOUMI,Anthi
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
22 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Winston-Salem, N.C. • R.J. Reynolds HS
whitney knight
Recorded three blocks, one assists and a block in 13 minutes off the bench in her collegiate debut at Seton Hall (Nov. 11) ... registered three assists, two rebounds and two steals in just six minutes at FIU (Nov. 14) ... in 25 solid minutes off the FGCU bench, she registered 12 points, five assists, four rebounds and three blocks vs. Michigan State (Nov. 19) ... finished with six points and three blocks in just 11 minutes vs. Richmond (Nov. 25) ... filled the stat sheet, recording career-highs in points (20), rebounds (15), assists (8) and blocks (6) vs. Webber International (Nov. 28) ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
KNIGHT, Whitney
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 232011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Eugene, Ore. • South Eugene HS/Lane CC
sarah whitfield senior Forward 5-1120
Made her first career start at Seton Hall, scoring four points and grabbing three boards in 16 minutes of action (Nov. 11) ... finished with five points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals at FIU (Nov. 14) ... finished with seven points and six boards vs. Webber International (Nov. 28) ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
WHITFIELD, Sarah
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
2010-11 game-by-game statsPointsSeason: 7, vs. Webber Int’l (Nov. 28, 2011)
Career: 14, vs. FIU (Dec. 15, 2010)FieldGoalsSeason: 2, on two occasionsCareer: 5, vs. FIU (Dec. 15, 2010)FreeThrowsSeason: 2, on two occasionsCareer: 2, on two occasions3-PointFieldGoalsSeason: 1, on two occasionsCareer: 4, vs. FIU (Dec. 15, 2010)ReboundsSeason: 6, on two occasionsCareer: 6, on five occasionsAssistsSeason: 3, @ FIU (Nov. 14, 2011)Career: 3, on four occasionsBlocksSeason: N/ACareer: 2, vs. Seattle (Mar. 4, 2011)StealsSeason: 2, on two occasionsCareer: 3, vs. Jacksonville (Feb. 24, 2011)MinutesSeason: 21, vs. Webber Int’l (Nov. 28, 2011)
24 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Tipp City, Ohio • Alter HS
courtney chihil
Earned PreseasonAll-Conference honors ... tabbed the fan’s PreseasonDefensivePlayeroftheYear in the A-Sun’s Facebook fan poll ... finished with four points, four steals and five boards at Seton Hall (Nov. 11) ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
CHIHIL, Courtney
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
season/career highsPointsSeason: 8, vs. Mich. St. (Nov. 19, 2011)Career: 22, vs. USC Upstate (Feb. 5, 2011) FieldGoalsSeason: 2, on two occasionsCareer: 6, on two occasionsFreeThrowsSeason: 2, on three occasionsCareer: 9, vs. USC Upstate (Feb. 5, 2011)3-PointFieldGoalsSeason: 2, vs. Mich. St. (Nov. 19, 2011)Career: 4, vs. Florida (Mar. 21, 2011)ReboundsSeason: 5, @ Seton Hall (Nov. 11, 2011)Career: 17, at Stetson (Dec. 5, 2009)AssistsSeason: 5 vs. Webber Int’l (Nov. 28, 2011) Career: 12, vs. Indiana (Dec. 21, 2010)BlocksSeason: N/ACareer: 1, on five occasionsStealsSeason: 4, @ Seton Hall (Nov. 11, 2011)Career: 7, vs. Troy (Nov. 21, 2010)MinutesSeason: 36, @ FIU (Nov. 14, 2011) Career: 38, on two occasions
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 252011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Houston, Texas • Cypress Springs HS/Southwestern Christian
nicoya jackson senior guard 5-622
Made her first career start at Seton Hall in the 2011-12 season opener and finished with eight points, five assists and five rebounds (Nov. 11) ... scored a game-high and career-high 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the floor and 6-of-14 from long range at FIU (Nov. 14) ... scored 19 points, dished a career-high six assists and pulled down three boards vs. Richmond (Nov. 25) ...recorded 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists vs. Webber International (Nov. 28) ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
JACKSON, Nicoya
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
26 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Fort Myers, Fla. • Dunbar HS/Seminole CC
eglah griffin
Scored six points and grabbed three boards at Seton Hall in the 2011-12 season opener (Nov. 11) ... scored eight points at FIU (Nov. 14) ... scored seven points and grabbed five boards vs. Richmond (Nov. 25) ... finished with 13 points vs. Webber International (Nov. 28) ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
GRIFFIN, Eglah
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
season/career highsPointsSeason: 13, vs. Webber Int’l (Nov. 28, 2011)
Career: 25, vs. Mercer (Jan. 17, 2011)FieldGoalsSeason: 5, vs. Webber Int’l (Nov. 28, 2011)
Career: 8, on two occasionsFreeThrowsSeason: 2, @ FIU (Nov. 14, 2011)Career: 5, on three occasions3-PointFieldGoalsSeason: 3, on two occasionsCareer: 7, vs. Mercer (Jan. 17, 2011)ReboundsSeason: 5, vs. Richmond (Nov. 25, 2011)Career: 10, vs. Kennesaw State (Jan. 15, 2011)AssistsSeason: 2, on two occasionsCareer: 3, on four occasionsBlocksSeason: N/ACareer: 1, vs. USC Upstate (Feb. 5, 2011)StealsSeason: 1, vs. Richmond (Nov. 25, 2011)Career: 3, @ Longwood (Mar. 7, 2010)MinutesSeason: 32, vs. Richmond (Nov. 25, 2011)Career: 38, @ Stetson (Jan. 20, 2011)
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 272011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Martin, Tenn. • Westview HS
Amber rechis R-Freshman guard 5-825
Made her collegiate debut at Seton Hall in the 2011-12 season opener and recorded six points on 2-of-3 shooting from behind the three-point line (Nov. 11) ... scored a career-high 26 points on 6-of-11 shooting from long range vs. Webber International (Nov. 28) ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
RECHIS, Amber
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
28 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
Chicago, Ill. • Thornton Fractional South HS/Jefferson CC
Joyce iamstrong
Made her FGCU debut at Seton Hall (Nov. 11) ... scored her first FGCU points vs. Webber International; finished with four points, six assists and three rebounds (Nov. 28) ...
FGCU Division 1 RecordsIndividual Career History
IAMSTRONG, Joyce
Total 3-Point F-Throws Rebounds Scoring
Season gp-gs min/avg fg-fga pct fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf fo ast to blk stl pts avg
TEAM STATISTICS FGCU OPPSCORING 377 281 Points per game 75.4 56.2 Scoring margin +19.2 -FIELD GOALS-ATT 122-302 98-255 Field goal pct . 4 0 4 . 3 8 43 POINT FG-ATT 65-188 21-75 3-point FG pct . 3 4 6 . 2 8 0 3-pt FG made per game 13.0 4.2FREE THROWS-ATT 68-88 64-87 Free throw pct . 7 7 3 . 7 3 6 F-Throws made per game 13.6 12.8REBOUNDS 181 172 Rebounds per game 36.2 34.4 Rebounding margin +1.8 -ASSISTS 90 49 Assists per game 18.0 9.8TURNOVERS 65 100 Turnovers per game 13.0 20.0 Turnover margin +7.0 - Assist/turnover ratio 1.4 0.5STEALS 45 33 Steals per game 9.0 6.6BLOCKS 16 18 Blocks per game 3.2 3.6ATTENDANCE 5133 957 Home games-Avg/Game 3-1711 2-478 Neutral site-Avg/Game - 0-0
Score by Periods 1st 2nd TotalsFlorida Gulf Coast 188 189 377Opponents 117 164 281
Date Opponent Score Att.11/11/11 at Seton Hall L 51-57 63111/14/11 at FIU W 80-72 32611/19/11 MICHIGAN STATE W 59-58 310811/25/11 RICHMOND W 81-67 112311/28/11 WEBBER INTERNATIONAL W 106-27 902
# = Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine Invitational* = Atlantic Sun Conference game
2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 312011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
2011-12 Team Game
THE STAT CREW SYSTEMFlorida Gulf Coast Game-by-Game Highs (as of Nov 27, 2011)
All games
Opponent Date Score Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocked shotsat Seton Hall 11/11/11 51-57 14-HANSEN, Sarah 13-HANSEN, Sarah 5-JACKSON, Nicoya 4-CHIHIL, Courtney 1-HANSEN, Sarah
KNIGHT, Whitneyat FIU 11/14/11 80-72 29-JACKSON, Nicoya 7-HANSEN, Sarah 4-JACOBSON, Kelse 2-WHITFIELD, Sarah None
CHIHIL, Courtney KNIGHT, Whitney CHIHIL, Courtney
MICHIGAN STATE 11/19/11 59-58 20-HANSEN, Sarah 13-HANSEN, Sarah 5-KNIGHT, Whitney 4-JACOBSON, Kelse 3-KNIGHT, WhitneyRICHMOND 11/25/11 81-67 20-HANSEN, Sarah 8-CHIHIL, Courtney 6-JACKSON, Nicoya 3-HANSEN, Sarah 3-KNIGHT, Whitney
32 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball 2011-12 A-Sun Regular Season Champions
2011-12 team game-by-game
THE STAT CREW SYSTEMFlorida Gulf Coast Team Game-by-Game (as of Nov 27, 2011)
All games
TEAM STATISTICS
Total 3-Pointers Free throws Rebounds
Opponent Date Score fg-fga pct 3fg-fga pct ft-fta pct off def tot avg pf a t/o blk stl pts avg
Officials: Rob Fessler, Tombi Bell, David NitzTechnical fouls: Eckerd College-None. Florida Gulf Coast-None.Attendance: 567First exhibition
Score by periods 1st 2nd TotalEckerd College 23 27 50Florida Gulf Coast 24 44 68
FGCU 68Eckerd College 50Nov. 5 - Alico Arena - Fort Myers, Fla.
Four Eagles scored in double figures as the FGCU women’s basketball team drained 10 three-pointers in a 68-50 win over Eckerd ... Chihil finished with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from behind the arch.
Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final StatisticsFlorida Gulf Coast vs FIU11/14/11 6:00 PM at US Century Bank Arena (Miami, Fla.)
2Nicoya Jackson scored a career-high 29 points to lead the FGCU women’s basketball squad to an 80-72 win over FIU at US Century Bank Arena ... the Green and Blue knocked down 14 trifectas on the night.
Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final StatisticsFlorida Gulf Coast vs Seton Hall11/11/11 7:00 p.m. at South Orange, N.J. - Walsh Gymnasium
Officials: Dee Kantner, John Orminski, Jerome SkrineTechnical fouls: Florida Gulf Coast-None. Seton Hall-None.Attendance: 631
Score by periods 1st 2nd TotalFlorida Gulf Coast 15 36 51Seton Hall 19 38 57
In Off 2nd FastPoints Paint T/O Chance Break BenchFGCU 18 2 13 9 15SHU 22 23 2 4 13
Last FG - FGCU 2nd-00:15, SHU 2nd-03:46.Largest lead - FGCU by 6 1st-12:03, SHU by 17 2nd-10:06.
Score tied - 3 times.Lead changed - 2 times.
FGCU (0-1) 51Seton Hall (1-0) 57Nov. 11 - Walsh Gymnasium - South Orange, N.J.
The Eagles were held to just 29-percent shooting from the floor, 24.2-perfect from long range and were forced into 17 turnovers, leading to 23 Seton Hall points. Sophomore Sarah Hansen led the team with 14 points and 13 rebounds in 39 minutes of play.
Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final StatisticsMichigan State vs Florida Gulf Coast11/19/11 7:05 p.m. at Fort Myers, Fla. (Alico Arena)
Officials: Will Schreiber, Rob Fessler, John AkinsTechnical fouls: Michigan State-None. Florida Gulf Coast-None.Attendance: 3108
Score by periods 1st 2nd TotalMichigan State 25 33 58Florida Gulf Coast 39 20 59
In Off 2nd FastPoints Paint T/O Chance Break BenchMSU 24 21 15 4 9FGCU 8 25 6 0 14
Last FG - MSU 2nd-02:03, FGCU 2nd-05:08.Largest lead - MSU by 6 2nd-08:45, FGCU by 14 1st-00:35.
Score tied - 7 times.Lead changed - 7 times.
FGCU (2-1) 59Michigan State (3-2) 58Nov. 19 - Alico Arena - Fort Myers, Fla.
3Sarah Hansen knocked down a clutch free-throw with 0.4 seconds left on the clock to lift the FGCU women’s basketball team a 59-58 victory over Michigan State in front of 3,108 fans at Alico Arena ... FGCU is now 2-1 all-time vs. the Big Ten and 1-1 all-time vs. MSU.
Exhibition 12011-12 box scores
34 2011-12 FGCU women’s Basketball
Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final StatisticsRICHMOND vs Florida Gulf Coast11/25/11 7:05 pm at Fort Myers, Fla. (Alico Arena)
Four Eagles scored in double figures as the FGCU women’s basketball team knocked off previously undefeated Richmond, 81-67, in front of 1,123 fans on Friday night at Alico Arena ... Sarah Hansen finished with a game-high 20 points (all in the first half).
FGCU ETSU Dec. 3 - Alico Arena - Fort Myers, Fla.
6
Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final StatisticsWebber International vs Florida Gulf Coast11/28/11 7:05 pm at Fort Myers, Fla. (Alico Arena)
Senior Kelsey Jacobson scored her 1,000th career point and the FGCU women’s basketball team tied the NCAA record for three-pointers made in a single game with 21, en route to a 106-27 win over NAIA foe Webber International (0-7) on Monday night at Alico Arena.
