FORT MYERS, Fla. — FGCU defeated the Bellarmine University women's basketball team 79-40 on Thursday night in Atlantic Sun Conference play at Alico Arena.

Injury-plagued Bellarmine (2-22, 0-11 ASUN) trailed reigning ASUN champion FGCU (11-11, 7-4) by only four after the first quarter, but the Eagles took control in the second. FGCU knocked down 13 3-pointers in the contest, with five supplied by Airah Lavy.

Kayce Hyman tallied 11 of her team-high 14 points in the first quarter for Bellarmine. The sophomore forward went 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the opening period. Hyman, sophomore guard Ava Smith and redshirt junior forward Andrea Chiquemba each canned a 3-pointer in the initial quarter as the Knights trailed 21-17.

FGCU's defense, which ranks second in the ASUN in fewest points allowed per game, took command in the second quarter. The Eagles outscored the Knights 13-0 in the frame in building a 34-17 halftime lead. FGCU collected 13 steals in the game.

Hyman barely missed a double-double after grabbing a career-high nine rebounds in addition to her 14 points. She's registered a minimum of 13 points in each of the last six games.

Bellarmine will play at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday at Stetson.

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).