FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast used a season-best shooting performance from beyond the arc to hand the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team its second Atlantic Sun Conference loss of the season, 69-63, on Thursday night inside Alico Arena.
 
FGCU shot a season-high 53 percent (9-for-17) from 3-point range, its best percentage of the year and more than seven points above its previous season high.
 
With the loss, EKU falls to 22-6 overall and 13-2 in league play. The Colonels still need one win to secure the 2026 ASUN Regular Season Championship.
 
Senior forward Joseana Vaz led EKU in scoring for the fourth straight game, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-9 from 3-point range.
 
Senior guard Althea Kara Angeles added 11 points, while sophomore guard Liz Freihofer and freshman guard Kenleigh Woods scored 10 points each. The trio accounted for nearly half of EKU's offensive production.
 
FGCU (13-13, 9-6 ASUN) set the tone early, knocking down four 3-pointers in the opening quarter to build a 24-13 advantage. EKU received early triples from Bradley and Woods, and a late 3-pointer from Freihofer trimmed the deficit, but the Eagles maintained control after one.
 
The Colonels responded in the second quarter with defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and converting them into points. Woods sparked the run at the free-throw line, Ndukwe converted layups off steals, and Angeles added a 3-pointer and free throws as EKU outscored FGCU 14-7 in the period to cut the deficit to 31-27 at halftime.
 
EKU carried that momentum into the third quarter in a back-and-forth stretch. Vaz and Freihofer hit key 3-pointers, and Woods finished in transition as the Colonels briefly pulled even. EKU edged FGCU 22-21 in the quarter, but the Eagles held a 52-49 lead entering the final period.
 
The Colonels continued to battle in the fourth, taking their first lead of the game at 59-57 on a layup by Ndukwe with 4:13 remaining. Vaz later connected from deep to pull EKU within one, and Freihofer tied the game at the free-throw line. However, FGCU converted key free throws down the stretch to regain control.
 
Angeles knocked down a late 3-pointer to make it a one-possession game, but the Eagles sealed the win at the line.
 
FGCU's nine made 3-pointers proved decisive, including four in the first quarter and four more in the third.
 
Despite the loss, EKU forced a season-high 22 turnovers and recorded 12 steals.
 
The Colonels return to action Saturday at Stetson. Tipoff in DeLand is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on ESPN+.