University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
2-3
Florida State
4-0
Florida State Outpaces UMass Women's Basketball, 73-47
November 23, 2014 | Women's Basketball
DENTON, Texas - Rashida Timbilla provided a game-high 15 points for UMass women's basketball, but the Minutewomen were unable to get by Florida State in a 73-47 loss. Cierra Dillard added six points, four steals, two assists and a pair of rebounds as the Minutewomen closed played at North Texas' Hospitality Hill Challenge in Denton, Texas, on Sunday afternoon.
The Minutewomen were outrebounded by the Seminoles, 48-35, and Florida State earned a 30-22 advantage in scoring in the paint and 18-8 margin in points off of turnovers as a result.
Adut Bulgak led Florida State with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Morgan Jones scored 11 with 10 boards. Brittany Brown also notched 11 points while Maegan Conwright provided 10.
The Seminoles (4-0 overall), who are receiving votes for the Associated Press and USA Today top-25 polls, scored eight straight to start the game before Dillard hit a running jumper in the paint to put the Minutewomen on the board. Massachusetts then kept within striking distance of Florida State early on the strength of five turnovers forced and scoring in the paint by Timbilla.
Timbilla guided the offense from the start with six consecutive points for the Maroon & White following Dillard's shot. After she hit a jumper and layup, the Ottawa, Ontario, native added a pair of free throws that pulled the Minutewomen within 17-10 of Florida State with 12 minutes, five seconds to play in the first.
The Seminoles separated from the Minutewomen with a 12-3 streak ending with 77 seconds left in the first half. Eight Seminoles scored during the stretch, which gave Florida State a 34-16 lead with 1:17 to play. Dillard hit the front end of two free throws with 51 seconds to play before Maggie Mulligan drained a jumper to cut the UMass deficit to 15 points at the break, 34-19.
However, Florida State started the second stanza on a 9-3 run that built its advantage to 43-22 and Massachusetts was unable to pull closer than with 17 the remainder of the way.
UMass went 14-for-46 on field goals (30.4 percent) and were 1-for-10 on three-pointers. The Minutewomen ended 18-of-28 on free throw attempts (64.3 percent). Florida State hit 40.0 percent of their shots (26-of-65), including 38.5 percent from distance (5-of-13). They were just 16-for-29 at the foul line (55.2 percent).
The Minutewomen (2-3) return home to the Mullins Center for a Sunday, Nov. 30 game against Central Florida (2-1). Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and tickets are available through UMass Athletics Ticket Central or 866-862-7784.
