The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles accomplished something no other school in the history of women’s college basketball had done before when they made it into the postseason in their first year of Division I eligibility.

They took in one step farther Friday night by defeating their first-round opponent in the women’s National Invitational Tournament, the University of South Florida, 67-65 before a near-sellout crowd at Alico Arena.

“I’m really proud of the way our young ladies hung in there,” said Eagles coach Karl Smesko. “I told the ladies at halftime that at some point this would be a close game, and down the stretch it was.”

Powered by standout guard Chelsea Dermyer, who hit three three-pointers as part of a 10-0 run late in the first half, the Eagles took a 26-21 lead at the break.

FGCU (22-8) stretched the lead to 11 in the second half before the taller, more experienced USF (16-16) launched a comeback.

Thanks to point guard Shantia Grace, who scored all of her game-high 34 points in the second half, the Bulls erased the deficit and tied the game 49-49 with just over six minutes to play.

“I told the ladies we just couldn’t afford to let them continue to drive the lane,” Smesko said, “and continue to get second-chance baskets. As a result we started to trap them inside with three players to help with rebounding and clogging the lanes.”

The Eagles were out rebounded by the Bulls 49-30, but their desire to win was greater when it came down to the wire.

Delia De La Torre knocked down all of her 20 points in the second half, including a pair of three-pointers in the final minutes that allowed to the Eagles to retake the lead and seal the win.

The Eagles go on the road for their second-round game against the Florida Gators (18-13) Monday in Gainesville.