12/31/2025

Florida Gulf Coast University men’s and women’s basketball teams open Atlantic Sun Conference play on Thursday, Jan. 1.

FGCU men (6-7) travel to Conway, Ark., to play University of Central Arkansas (5-8) at Farris Center at 2 p.m. Meanwhile, the FGCU women (4-7) host University of North Alabama (5-6) at Alico Arena in Fort Myers at 2 p.m.

The FGCU women are come in off a 63-44 home loss to Columbia University on Monday, Dec. 29

FGCU had a poor third quarter against the Lions as they were outscored 25-4. Columbia forced 24 turnovers scoring 30 points off them, FGCU forced 10 turnovers scoring six points. The Lions made nine 3-pointers and the Eagles made one.

Nay Staton finished with 13 points for the Eagles, going 5-for-7 from the field, including a 3-pointer. Sinai Douglas added 11 points, going 4-for-10 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free-throw line. Jordan Campbell had a team-high nine rebounds and two assists. She also tied for the team high with two steals and one block.

FGCU won the last meeting with UNA beating them 60-50 in Florence, Alabama, on Feb. 22, 2025. Rolle is the only current Eagle to play in that game finishing with six points, three rebounds and one steal.

UNA enters on a three-game losing skid their most recent loss on Sunday, Dec. 21 at University of Missouri by a final score of 84-57.

Greta Ramon finished with 12 points for the Lions. Venla Ulander had 11 points and India Howard added 10 points finishing 5-for-8 shooting (62.5%). Alyssa Clutter had a team-high nine rebounds, Alexsandra Alvarado led in assists with five and Jazzy Klinge finished with five steals.

Alvarado leads UNA in scoring with 120 total points through 11 games, averaging 10.9 points per game. Sofia Ceppellotti is second with 81 points in seven appearances, averaging 11.6 points per game. Bukky Akinsola follows with 74 points and leads the team 16 steals. Gabby Jackson leads the Lions with 64 total and Katie Criswell has a team-high eight blocks.

Seeking a different outcome against the Eagles, the Lions have four returning starters with a score to settle. Last season, Criswell paced the offense with 15 points, while Howard anchored the interior with eight points, seven boards and six blocks. Jazzy Klinge dominated the glass with 10 rebounds, and Ceppellotti looks to expand on her limited four minutes of action from their previous encounter.

FGCU men’s basketball

The FGCU men come into the game against the University of Central Arkansas off an 84-43 win over the University of Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, Dec. 28.

The win ended a five-game losing skid for FGCU as the Eagles completed nonconference play with a record of 6-7.

Isaiah Malone led FGCU in the win finishing with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds; he also had a team-high six blocks. Rory Stewart added 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Darren Williams had 10 points, including two 3-pointers.

JR Konieczny, Jordan Ellerbee and Rahmir Barno continue lead the Eagles’ offense averaging a combined 42 points per game through 13 games. Konieczny leads with 192 total points, Ellerbee 188 and Barno 168. Barno leads the team in assists (68) and steals (23). Malone continues to lead in blocks, which increased from 18 to 24 total with the win over UFTL.

FGCU beat Central Arkansas 77-71 at Alico Arena on Jan. 11, 2025. Barno, Stewart, Michael Duax and Tristen Guillouette are the current Eagles players who competed in that game. Barno scored 12 points, including from the free-throw line. Duax added five points, Stewart had three and Guillouette finished with one rebound in two minutes.

UCA returns home following a 99-82 loss at Southern Methodist University on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Ty Robinson finished with 28 points for the Bears, going 11-for-17 from the field, including four 3-pointers. Camren Hunter had 19 points, finishing 6-for-12, including two 3-pointers. Javion Guy-King scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

Hunter leads the UCA attack, averaging 16.5 points per game through 13 games. Robinson is averaging 13.4 points and also leads the team in rebounds with 69 and steals with 22. Luke Moore has a team-high 44 assists, and Malchiah Marable has a team-high eight blocks.

For the Eagles to secure a win, they must prioritize perimeter defense against a Central Arkansas squad that leans heavily on the 3-point shot. With Hunter and Robinson accounting for a significant portion of the Bears’ scoring.

FGCU’s Rahmir Barno and Jordan Ellerbee must contest every look from beyond the arc to prevent a repeat of Robinson’s recent 28-point performance.

Inside, Isaiah Malone will be the X-factor; his ability to protect the rim and dominate the glass against Malchiah Marable will be crucial in limiting UCA to one-and-done possessions.

If FGCU can turn its defensive stops into transition points and capitalize on its superior depth, the Eagles should be able to control the tempo and move to .500 on the season.