LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team has an unorthodox schedule this week in Atlantic Sun Conference action, as the Knights will host a Florida school in FGCU at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Wednesday in Freedom Hall before embarking on a trip to the Sunshine State for a 2 p.m. showdown Saturday in DeLand at Stetson.

Conference powerhouse FGCU (17-4, 7-0 ASUN) is once again atop the league standings. However, the formidable challenges won't end there for Bellarmine (6-13, 1-6), as Stetson (10-11, 5-2) is tied for third.

The defending ASUN regular season and tournament champion, FGCU expectedly was selected as the ASUN preseason favorite in the coaches' poll and has followed suit thus far. The Eagles have posted double-digit victories in all seven of their ASUN contests, most recently a 65-54 win at Austin Peay that followed a 75-54 romp at Lipscomb, teams that were picked at No. 4 and No. 2 in the preseason poll.

FGCU is the ASUN leader in both offense (74.3) and defense (56.1), a combination that has the Eagles topping the board in margin of victory (18.2) as well. Although FGCU isn't hitting at the highest clip in the conference, the Eagles are leading the league in 3-pointers made (193) and attempted (615), which is their M.O.

FGCU's Emani Jefferson has earned back-to-back ASUN Player and Newcomer of the Week accolades and is averaging 16.9 points per game. She poured in 27 and 23 points, respectively, against Lipscomb and Austin Peay. Uju Ezeudu is averaging 13.3 points and is the team's leading rebounder (7.3, sixth ASUN).

Stetson will play Wednesday at Eastern Kentucky before welcoming Bellarmine. The Hatters are on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Austin Peay, 51-42, and Lipscomb, 67-55, last week on the road.

Jamiya Turner is Stetson's leading scorer (11.0). The Hatters have excelled on defense, ranking third in the ASUN in fewest points allowed (60.1) and second in opponent FG percentage (37.8). Stetson has held four of their seven conference opponents in the 50s or less.

Bellarmine had mixed results last week. The Knights earned their first ASUN win with a 69-63 victory at North Florida, but they followed with an 87-69 loss at Jacksonville in which they trailed by double digits the entire second half. Until that game, BU had either led or been within seven in the fourth quarter of every conference opponent. Foul trouble, which plagued the Knights throughout, was the clear culprit.

Although Hayley Harrison was among the Knights saddled with foul trouble, the junior guard still managed to score 26 points against Jacksonville, her most in ASUN play this season. It was Harrison's fifth 20-point game this year. She ranks fifth in the conference in scoring (14.9) and sixth among qualifiers in FT percentage (80.0, 68-85).

Hope Sivori has scored in double figures in every ASUN game. The junior guard tallied 13 points against Jacksonville and ranks fourth in the ASUN in assists (4.3). Her 41 3-pointers made are the fifth most in the league, and she's sank at least two from deep in every ASUN contest.

Senior guard Claire Knies knocked down a trio of 3-pointers against Jacksonville and her 15 points were her most in ASUN play this season. Sophomore guard Jayla Butler piled up a career-high six steals while adding a season-high 10 points against the Dolphins.

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