No. 21 Virginia Takes Down No. 11 FSU, 68-63
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. No. 21 Virginia women’s basketball defeated No. 11 Florida State, 68-63, Tuesday night on the road. Lyndra Littles scored 24 points to lead the Cavaliers, while Aisha Mohammed had her 12th double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
With 17 points, Monica Wright set a new single-season high for Virginia and she has now scored 615 points this season. The previous single-season high was 612 points (Heather Burge in 1993).
With the win, Virginia improved to 22-7 overall, 8-5 in the ACC. Florida State’s record went to 23-6 overall, 11-2 in the league.
Virginia fell into an early hole, 7-0, and did not get its first field goal until more than five minutes had elapsed in the first half. Despite the early deficit, UVa pulled to within two points, 20-18, on a fast break lay-up by Littles that was assisted by Wright at the 7:18 mark.
Florida State responded with an 8-0 run over the next three minutes and took a 28-20 on a 3-pointer by Mara Freshour with 4:05 left in the half.
The Seminoles maintained their lead for the remaining minutes of the half and took a 36-27 lead at the break.
For the 14th time this season, the Cavaliers were faced with making up a halftime deficit. Littles’ 3-pointer with 15:21 left pulled UVa to within two points, 43-41, but Florida State again responded with a run. This time, the Seminoles scored seven unanswered points to take a 48-41 lead with 12:19 left.
Virginia mounted a comeback, however, and took its first lead of the game, 57-56, on a lay-up by Moorer with under four minutes left in the game.
From there, the teams traded baskets until Littles made a back-door, alley-oop lay-up with 2:20 left and the Cavaliers got a defensive stop on the other end for a 61-60 lead and possession of the ball with 1:10 left.
Monica Wright hit a jumpshot to give Virginia a 3-point cushion, 63-60, with 45 seconds left. Mara Freshour’s game-tying attempt for Florida State bounced twice off the rim and Virginia hit its free throws down the stretch to come away with a 68-63 win.
Up next, Virginia concludes the regular-season with a road game on Sunday, March 1 at Georgia Tech (1 p.m., RSN).