Seminoles women’s basketball falls at Miami

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (seminoles.com) — A hot shooting start for Miami was too much for Florida State Women’s Basketball to overcome as it fell to the Hurricanes, 76-59, on Sunday afternoon at the Watsco Center.

“We were well prepared for this game, but Miami did a nice job,” FSU Head Coach Sue Semrau said. “It was too much hurry up for us. They were very active defensively. We won’t walk out here dwelling on this. We have a quick turnaround to Syracuse on Tuesday.”

The Hurricanes (13-10, 6-7) shot 55.1 percent in the game, although the Seminoles (12-11, 6-7) shot at a good clip as well at 46.9 percent. FSU was hurt by its 25 turnovers committed, tying a season high, and Miami capitalized off those turnovers with 35 points.

Junior Sammie Puisis and freshman O’Mariah Gordon each led FSU with 10 points apiece. Miami’s Karla Erjavec led the Canes with 15.

Miami ran its offense well in the opening quarter, shooting 69 percent including 5-of-6 from 3-point range to race out to a 24-12 lead. Morgan Jones kept FSU in it with six early points, but the Hurricanes found ways to hit tough contested jumpers throughout the opening frame.

FSU was plagued by turnovers heading into the half, amassing 15 at the break as it trailed 41-26. Puisis began to heat up for the Seminoles, recording eight points which included two 3-point field goals. Erin Howard chipped in with five at intermission, but Miami shot 60 percent through the first two quarters and was led by Erjavec’s 11 points.

The Noles started off well in the third quarter, with consecutive buckets by Valencia Myers and Jones trimming their deficit to 43-32 with 7:04 left in the third quarter. But the Canes came back with a quick 7-2 run to limit FSU’s momentum, and would out-score the Seminoles 17-15 in the third before earning a win at the Watsco Center.

The Seminoles have a quick turnaround as they head to Syracuse for a 6 p.m. matchup on Tuesday, Feb. 15, on ACC Network Extra.