Saturday, January 02, 2010

MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun Conference Women’s Basketball Game of the Week features a showdown between FGCU and Belmont, as the Eagles, led by Adrianne McNally and Courtney Chihil, travel to Nashville, Tenn. to face the Bruins, paced by Haley Nelson and Amber Rockwell, at 2:00 p.m. CT on Saturday from the Curb Event Center. The game airs on A-Sun.TV.

FGCU enters the week after posting wins against USC Upstate, FIU and Bethune-Cookman, while Belmont looks to rebound from consecutive non-conference losses to in-state foes Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech. In two December conference games, Belmont’s Kristin Bunch averaged an even 20 points as the Bruins split with Kennesaw State and Mercer. FGCU dominated its pair of league games, defeating USC Upstate and Stetson by an average of 20.5 points. Chihil averaged a double-double, 11.5 points and 14.0 rebounds, in the convincing victories.

The last time FGCU and Belmont met, the Eagles pulled away with the 77-65 home victory in a highly competitive game. FGCU hit 9-10 from the charity stripe in the final minute and a half to seal the win. Belmont senior Kristin Bunch scored 13 points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, while sophomore Tristan Daniel reached double-figures with 10 points in just 17 minutes. For the Eagles, senior Chelsea Lyles collected 18 points to go along with six rebounds, while junior Shannon Murphy scored 16 points and dished out a game-high seven assists.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Players to Watch
* Kristin Bunch, Belmont – Bunch scored 11 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds at Tennessee State. In Belmont and FGCU’s last meeting, the senior guard scored 13 points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds

* Haley Nelson, Belmont – Nelson leads the Bruins in rebounding (10.4 rpg), while also averaging 12.3 points per game.

* Amber Rockwell, Belmont – Rockwell leads the Bruins’ charge with 14.4 points per game. Against Tennessee Tech, the senior guard scored a game-high 22 points on Saturday, Dec. 19.

* Courtney Chihil, FGCU – Chihil ranks first on the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and second in steals (2.0 spg). Against Bethune-Cookman, the sophomore guard recorded six rebounds, two steals, and five assists in 24 minutes. Against USC Upstate, Chihil registered game-highs with 11 rebounds and a career-high six steals, in addition to scoring 15 points.

* Chelsea Lyles, FGCU – With a game-high 18 points, and four other Eagles scoring in double figures, Lyles led FGCU to a 76-62 victory at nonconference-rival FIU on Wednesday, Dec. 23. The last time Belmont and FGCU met, the senior forward led the Eagles with 18 points to go along with six rebounds.

* Adrianne McNally, FGCU – McNally leads FGCU in career points (1147), field goals made (200), field goals attempted (898), free throws attempted (433), games played (107), games started (97), and minutes played (2,883). The senior forward looks to grab the top spot in several other all-time records with the Eagles in free throws made (286), rebounds (565), defensive rebounds (363), offensive rebounds (202), assists (250) and steals (109).