FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Lipscomb University women's basketball team outscored No. 9 Florida Gulf Coast University 22-13 in the third quarter and cut a 19-point deficit down to two, but the Eagles pulled away late to defeat the Bisons, 63-50, Thursday evening from Alico Arena. 

The Eagles, the favorites to win the ASUN in 2025, are ranked ninth in the Mid-Major Poll administered by CollegeInsider.com. 

Final Score: Florida Gulf Coast 63, Lipscomb 50
Location: Fort Myers, Florida (Alico Arena)
Records: Lipscomb (13-7, 6-3), Florida Gulf Coast (18-3, 9-0)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bisons got out to a cold start, missing their first six shots before Elena Bertrand got on the board with 5:47 left in the quarter to end a 9-0 run. 

FGCU forced seven Lipscomb turnovers and scored 10 out of the team's 17 shots and took a 17-7 lead after one quarter. 

In the second, Lipscomb settled in on defense, allowing Florida Gulf Coast to 4-of-11 shooting, but the Bisons could not counter, as they only converted three field goals in and trailed 31-16 at the break. 

The Eagles' lead swelled to 19 with a Lauryn Taylor driving layup, but the Bisons began to chip away. An 11-0 run by the visitors, including a five-point spurt by Claira McGowan cut it to 10, 35-25, at the media break. 

After a layup by FGCU with 52 seconds remaining, a fast break 3-pointer by McGowan put the Bisons down six points, 44-38, after three quarters. 

After connecting on six field goals in the first half, Lipscomb drained eight in the third quarter and outscored Florida Gulf Coast, 22-13. Additionally, the Bisons forced six turnovers by the Eagles and scored six points. 

In the fourth quarter, Molly Heard made it a 47-45 advantage with 4:33 left in the game, but key 3-pointers by Emani Jefferson and Casey Santoro put the game away for the Eagles. 

KEY STATISTICS
Claira McGowan scored 19 points thanks to five shots from downtown. 

Molly Heard added 13 points and six rebounds, while Bella Vinson set a new career-high in rebounds with 11. 

HERD NOTES
The Bisons cleaned up the turnovers after the Eagles forced seven in the opening quarter. In the final 30 minutes, Lipscomb just had seven turnovers. Additionally, all 10 of FGCU's points off turnovers came in the opening quarter. 

Entering Thursday's game, both teams were averaging around 80 points a game in conference play. FGCU was held to 63 points on offense, matching a season-low in ASUN games this season, tying West Georgia, who allowed 63 on Jan. 4 in Fort Myers. 

UP NEXT
The weekend road swing will conclude on Saturday at Stetson.