Jan. 10, 2010

Final Stats

LINCOLN, Pa. - A win is a win.

That's what FSU women's basketball coach Eva Patterson-Heath told her team following its 78-76 win at Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday.

FSU (7-3) jumped out to a 20-4 lead and was on top 48-17 two minutes into the second half. To that point, the Broncos defense had limited the Lions to 17.4 percent shooting and only six field goals.

That's when two important events occurred.

FSU's leading scorer L'Oreal Price went down with an ankle injury - she didn't return to the game - and Lincoln's Sheray Dubose started to heat up.

"We really missed L'oreal (Price)," Patterson-Heath said. "She may not be scoring a lot but her presence on the court makes a big difference. I think it definitely played a part."

As for Dubose, who scored all of her game-high 31 points in the second half, Patterson-Heath said the environment inside Manuel Rivero Hall was a factor.

"We're at their place and they are playing in front of their crowd," she said. "It's always good to be home and I think that helps with their shooting."

FSU senior guard Danielle Russell helped stopped the Lions' momentum, scoring on several drives in the paint late in the game.

Russell had a team-high 17 points, pulled down four rebounds and dished out three assists, in addition to her team-high three steals.

"When L'Oreal (Price) got hurt I felt like I had to step up," Russell said. "I wasn't doing that well in the first half so I had to step up and make some free throws in the end."

Both Russell and Patterson-Heath said the win was a reflection of the Broncos' toughness.

"Danielle refused to lose," said Patterson-Heath said. "She kept us in the game."

Added Russell: "We could've lost in the end, but we kept it together. We were fighting."

Five FSU players scored in double-figures - LaQuasha Jordan, Russell, Deja Middleton, LaPorshe Hokett and Tiffany Haywood.

Jordan had 13 points and Hokett added 11 points in only 14 minutes of play - most in relief of Price. Middleton had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds while Haywood 10 points and seven rebounds.

FSU will finish its five-day road trip with a tilt at Bowie State on Monday. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.