TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (seminoles.com) – The Florida State women’s basketball team got plenty of scoring production on Sunday evening, highlighted by six double-figure totals as it delivered an 88-37 victory over Prairie View A&M at the Donald L. Tucker Center.
“I was really pleased with the way we came out early,” Head Coach Sue Semrau said. “I thought we set the tone early. In the second half we got pretty sloppy, we did some different things and I don’t think we moved our feet as well as we needed to and that’s something that we’ll grow into as we’re playing with a lead and without fouling. I’m really proud of these two freshmen sitting next to me (Ivey Slaughter and Brittany Brown). Not the points or the rebounds but just their heart and effort and what they do day in and day out.”
Freshman shooting guard Brittany Brown led the Seminoles (3-0) with 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field. The Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native becomes the first freshman at Florida State to produce a 20-point performance since teammate Natasha Howard dropped 21 against Arizona State on Nov. 27, 2010.
Brown’s 24-point effort makes her the third ‘Nole to reach the 20-point plateau in three games played this season, joining redshirt sophomore Morgan Jones (22 vs. Cincinnati) and Howard (24 vs. UNCG). Brown was relentless all evening attacking the lane, and also generated five steals, five rebounds and four assists.
“We’ve been working on [in practice] executing our plays, working all the way through and trying to work different options and just to get repetition and get ready for those bigger teams,” Brown added.
For Florida State, its 37 points allowed were the fewest surrendered since allowing just 35 points to Stetson in a 101-35 win on Nov. 20, 2009. Prairie View A&M found it difficult to get open looks inside the paint, being held to 21.8 percent from the floor. The ‘Noles suffocating defense included forcing 28 turnovers and getting 17 steals.
Freshman forward Ivey Slaughter picked up her second double-double of the season, recording 13 points and 11 rebounds. She made 13 trips to the free-throw line and attacked the basket all night, while Florida State got 40 chances from the charity stripe and made 27.
Freshman center Kai James earned some big minutes, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and adding four rebounds and two blocks. Senior Cheetah Delgado was very multi-faceted once again, finishing with 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting, picking up four assists and adding three steals. Delgado has hit in double figures in all three games played this season.
Jones chipped in with 11 points and added 10 boards, her first double-double as a ‘Nole. Howard added 10 points to round out the double-figure scorers, while redshirt junior Lauren Coleman had six.
Florida State was efficient from the floor once again, shooting 29-for-59 for 49.2 percent. Every player who saw court time earned at least two rebounds as FSU held a large edge on the glass against a much smaller Panther (0-3) squad, 51-31.
The ‘Noles were able to record 20 second-chance points and managed to hold Prairie View A&M to no points off second opportunities. Florida State jumped to a 50-10 lead at halftime and was dominant defensively again in the second half. At one point in the game, Prairie View A&M was held without a field goal for 11:18. FSU outscored the Panthers in the second half, 38-27.
Florida State used a 23-0 run to help close out the first half with a 50-10 lead on 54 percent shooting. The last time FSU recorded 50-plus points in a half was the second half at Miami on Feb. 12, 2012, when it recorded 54 points en route to a 93-78 victory. Every FSU student-athlete that saw court time in the first 20 minutes had at least four points recorded.
Florida State started a bit off-key but found its rhythm through forcing turnovers in the early going. The ‘Noles took an 8-2 lead into the first media timeout with consecutive baskets scored by Delgado, including the final one being a nice one-foot jumper in the lane. Delgado’s two early steals helped FSU get some easy buckets early.
The ‘Noles used a key 17-2 run to fuel a 21-4 lead on Jones’ left-handed layup with 11:15 remaining in the first half. Jones made a nice cut in the lane and was fed by Delgado, who penetrated to the hoop and gave a nice dish. Slaughter helped spark the run with a nice and-1 bucket underneath and a few free throws to give the ‘Noles a strong presence inside.
FSU took a commanding 38-9 lead in the first half on a few buckets by James, who had a soft finish inside and a jumper from the elbow. Delgado took command on the fast break and helped the ‘Noles deliver 15 points off turnovers while getting good finishes inside, contributing to their 22 points in the paint with 4:11 left in the half.
FSU travels to rival Florida for a matchup on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. at the Stephen O’Connell Center. The game will not be on television but live internet scoring will be available through CBS GameTracker.
For more information on Florida State women's basketball, follow the Seminoles on Twitter at @FSU_WBasketball and like their official Facebook page (Facebook.com/FSUWomensBasketball).
