FGCU clinches ninth straight ASUN women’s tourney title

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida Gulf Coast University’s women’s basketball team clinched the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament championship for the ninth consecutive year by defeating Central Arkansas 68-51 on Saturday.
Emani Jefferson played a crucial role in leading the Eagles to this victory, scoring 15 points. This triumph underscores FGCU’s longstanding dominance in the ASUN tournament, where they boast an exceptional 38-2 record since becoming tournament-eligible in 2012. Impressively, the team remains undefeated in the tournament over the last nine years, securing 12 victories out of the previous 14 titles.
In the matchup against Central Arkansas, Jefferson excelled by making 6 of her 8 shots, while also contributing seven rebounds, four assists, and five steals with just a single turnover. Dolly Cairns and Khamari Mitchell-Steen also made significant contributions, scoring 10 points each for the top-seeded Eagles, who conclude their season with a 30-3 record.
For Central Arkansas, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, Leah Mafua led scoring efforts with 17 points, followed by Jade Upshaw with 15, and Cheyanne Kemp with 10. Despite their efforts, FGCU’s robust performance proved too much to overcome.
During the game, FGCU sustained defensive pressure and did not allow a field goal in the last 3.5 minutes of the first quarter. This defensive stand led to an 8-2 run, providing the Eagles with a 16-12 lead going into the second quarter. The momentum continued with Cairns hitting a 3-pointer, followed by a Mitchell-Steen layup, extending their lead to 21-12 just over four minutes into the quarter.
The Eagles dominated the second quarter, adding 22 points to their tally. By the close of the second period, they had built a 38-21 lead. The defense remained tight, as Central Arkansas went without a successful field goal from 4:44 down to just eight seconds left when Bree Stephens scored, ending the half with a 38-24 scoreline, which saw Central Arkansas struggle in the subsequent minutes.
FGCU extended their lead further with a 7-0 run starting off the third quarter, showcasing their offensive prowess. Jefferson continued her outstanding play midway through the fourth, hitting a 3-pointer and a long jumper, reinforcing the Eagles’ 21-point advantage at 68-47 with a little over three minutes left on the clock. Upshaw contributed the final points for Central Arkansas, concluding the scoring for the game.