With 1:52 left in the first half, a succession of plays began that were indicative of the entire women's basketball game. What started with a defensive rebound by Virginia senior forward Tiffany Sardin, resulted in two missed shots, a missed lay-up, three offensive rebounds, one turnover and a foul. Missed opportunities plagued the Cavaliers in yesterday's 67-58 loss to Florida State. With the loss, Virginia drops to 13-6 overall and 2-5 in the ACC. The team failed to win its first conference home game in three chances.
Virginia also falls to Florida State for the second time this season, previously dropping their first encounter 60-46 Jan. 8.
Despite seeing Virginia jump out to a characteristically quick lead behind junior Brenna McGuire's three-pointer and finger roll in the lane, Florida State focused heavily on asserting its physical play to turn the game around.
"We started off like gangbusters and everything was going down," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. "With us, it is all about whether or not we are making shots. We are a young team -- that is the way it happens."
Virginia shot a combined 8-of-30 in the first half to account for only 22 points in the half.
"You have to give [Florida State] a lot of credit for why we shot the ball that way," Ryan said.
The Seminoles featured a rotation of three capable post players -- 6-foot-4-inch freshman center Britany Miller, 6-foot-3-inch sophomore center Nikki Anthony and 6-foot-4-inch sophomore forward Christie Lautsch -- that helped limit Virginia offensively down low and in transition.
"I thought that we got into [our] transition offense, but they were doubling in the post and they were very physical," Ryan said. "They just got back [on defense]. Some days that is going to happen, you are not going to get as much transition-wise."
The Cavaliers, who normally employ a steady flow of transition baskets, were held to only three points off fast breaks and turnovers. On many occasions, Virginia pushed the tempo and set up offensive sets successfully, yet failed to finish. As a team, they shot 32 percent from the field.
"I think that we executed very well," Ryan said. "In most offenses, we got what we wanted. ... We had some bad shots tonight for sure. That is what shooting percentages indicate -- that we are not taking good shots."
Virginia was hampered throughout the game by first-half foul trouble from freshman bench players Lyndra Littles and Abby Roberston. The rest of the Virginia bench did not perform up to expectations, especially on offense. Apart from Littles, Virginia could only muster two points from the bench.
On a couple of plays, Virginia coaches and fans alike were visibly upset after numerous fouls were called on Robertson and Littles.
More experienced players such as Sardin remained poised following the calls, emphasizing the need to stay focused.
"I have to stay composed at all times," Sardin said. "I just have to keep working and stay positive."
The Seminoles were paced by 15 points from senior guard Holly Johnson. Littles led the Cavaliers in scoring with 15 points as well.
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