Dec. 4, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - Freshman guard Mara Feshour scored a career-high 16 points, including four three-pointers, as Florida State used a dangerous outside game to defeat UCF, 81-49, in women's basketball action at the Tucker Center on Sunday afternoon.
With two successful jumpers by junior guard Francine Houston, the Golden Knights (1-5) jumped out to an 5-0 and kept the host Seminoles without a basket for two and half minutes. FSU (6-1) earned its first lead (10-9) at 15:23 when freshman guard Tanae Davis-Cain hit a three-pointer to spark a 23-4 run that included five treys and 13 unanswered points.
After going seven minutes without a basket, UCF's offense bounced back on two threes by Houston, but Florida State continued to stay hot from behind the arc. The Seminoles, who went 15-for-29 from the field (51.7%) and 5-for-8 from three-point range (62.5%) in the first half, would take a 39-25 advantage into the intermission. UCF posted a respectable 39.3% (11-for-28) percentage from the field and shot 33.3% from three-point range (3-for-9) in the first 20 minutes.
Despite allowing FSU to sink two quick buckets before scoring their own, the Golden Knights opened the second strongly as they tried to close the gap. The Seminoles continued to control the game, capitalizing on their offensive chances and not allowing UCF any quality shots. They jumped out to a game-high 32 (81-49) on a jumper by Kyria Buford with 25 seconds remaining.
Florida State finished the game shooting 51.6% (33-for-64) from the field, including 53.3% (8-for-15) from three-point range. They also held a 44-24 advantage off the glass. Junior Alicia Gladden posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while senior guard LaQuinta Neely also contributed 10 points in the win.
UCF, meanwhile, shot 38.5% (20-for-52) from the field on the afternoon and hit four of 16 (25%) from behind the arc. Houston, who transferred from FSU in 2003, had a team-high 13 points. Senior forward Shelby Weber pulled down a team-high five rebounds.
The Golden Knights visit Troy, Ala. on Dec. 11 for a 3 p.m. tip-off against the former Atlantic Sun rival Lady Trojans.