MACON - Kristina Wells led Kennesaw State with 16 points, six rebounds and five steals, but it wasn't enough Friday as the Lady Owls fell to top-seeded Florida Gulf Coast 76-53 in the semifinal round of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament at Mercer's University Center.

The Eagles advanced to today's A-Sun championship against second-seeded Stetson.

After coming back from a 16-point deficit against North Florida in Thursday's first-round game, Kennesaw State's 34-22 halftime deficit in Friday's game did not look overbearing. But Florida Gulf Coast (28-2) got hot from behind the 3-point line and built its lead to 52-35 with 11:23 remaining.

That was the closest the Lady Owls would get as the Eagles' outside shooting proved to be too much for Kennesaw State (14-17) to overcome.

Florida Gulf Coast (28-2) went on to go 6-for-9 on 3-pointers in the second half and 11-for-20 for the game. Kelsey Jacobson was 4-for-7 and Courtney Chihil 3-for-3.

Kennesaw State coach Colby Tilley said he was disappointed with Friday's result, though he was pleased with what his team was able to accomplish.

"Florida Gulf Coast is a very good team, and I thought we did some good things (Friday)," Tilley said about his team, which won more games than it had in any season since 2008-09. "But the 3-point shooting was the big difference in the game. We definitely accomplished some good things this season, both individually and as a team. I look forward to working hard this offseason to prepare for what should be an exciting 2012-13 campaign."

Kennesaw State kept the game close early, but the Eagles' defensive pressure began to take its toll. Florida Gulf Coast went on a 15-5 run to extend its lead to 24-11 with just over 8 minutes remaining in the half.

Jumpers by Wells and a layup by Sametria Gideon brought the Lady Owls back to within single digits at 24-17, but the Eagles' motion offense started to wear Kennesaw State down. Florida Gulf Coast closed the half on a 10-5 run, making the score 34-22 at halftime.

Gideon joined Wells in double figures as she finished with 15 points, while former Hillgrove High School standout Chelcey Farrar added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Sarah Henson led Florida Gulf Coast with 18 points, Chihil had 13 and Jacobson finished with 12.