Story Links
Feb. 22, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Florida State claimed its first-ever win at University Hall on Sunday afternoon as the Seminoles downed Virginia, 73-71, before a season-high crowd of 6,954. The crowd stands as the 10th largest on the Cavaliers’ all-time home attendance list.
“We’ve never won at Virginia,” said FSU head coach Sue Semrau. “It’s a tough place to play. I’m proud of our fortitude and persistence.”
The Cavaliers fell to 12-14 overall and 5-9 in the ACC, while the Seminoles improved to 14-12 overall and 7-8 in the league.
In the first half, neither team led by more than three points until the last five seconds before intermission. FSU held the edge at halftime, 31-28.
In the second half, the Seminoles went ahead by seven points, 53-46 with 11:09 to go. The Cavaliers came within one point on seven different occasions, but couldn’t retake the lead. Senior Anna Prillaman (Midlothian, Va.) tied the game at 71-71 with 16.8 seconds on the clock. Unfortunately, UVa was then called for a technical foul for excessive celebration as a Virginia player ran onto the court. FSU’s Tasheika Allen made the second of two free throws to go ahead by one. FSU’s Alicia Gladden converted another free throw for the 73-71 lead with 16 seconds to go. A three-point attempt by UVa junior LaTonya Blue (Baltimore, Md.) bounced off the rim as time expired.
“Obviously, it was a huge swing in emotion,” head coach Debbie Ryan said of the technical foul. “I don’t even know what happened. But we still had a chance to tie the game.”
Prillaman paced the Cavs with 14 points, including four treys. Junior Brandi Teamer (Joliet, Ill.) added 13 points off the bench, while junior Kate Kreager (Oak Hill, Va.) had 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Blue, freshman Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass.), and freshman Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) finished with eight points each.
“It came down to the last four minutes,” Teamer said. “We made some crucial mistakes and couldn’t get good shots off.”
Allen led FSU with 20 points. Shante Williams chipped in 18 points, while Linnea Liljestrand rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11.
“Williams was the difference in the second half,” Ryan said. “She’s very poised.”
Overall, UVa out-rebounded FSU, 37-31.
Virginia hosts Wake Forest on Thursday, Feb. 26 in the home season finale at 7:30 p.m. The Senior Class will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1 2 - FinalFlorida State (14-12, 7-8 ACC) 31 42 - 73Virginia (12-14, 5-9 ACC) 28 43 - 71
Scores from other ACC games today:#4 Duke 72, Maryland 59Clemson 72, Wake Forest 55