|
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Tomova has career night,
but FIU falls short against South Alabama
 aneisha
Russell poured in a career-high 28 points as South Alabama upset
Florida International, 70-68, Thursday night at Golden Panther
Arena in Miami. With the win, USA gained sole-control of first
in the Sun Belt Conference's West Division while FIU fell to
second in the East.
Russell connected on 11-of-22 field goal attempts, including
three from behind the three-point arc. Her three treys were part
of a three-point barrage put together by the Jaguars as USA nailed
10 long-range jumpers in the game.
FIU (15-7, 6-3) came out blazing, making its first five shots
and building an early lead. USA (16-8, 8-4) did not back down,
however, and closed out the first period with a 19-7 run that
gave the Jaguars a 45-35 advantage at halftime.
The Golden Panthers clawed their way back into the game in
the second half, as Mandy Shafer swished a three-pointer to give
FIU a 60-57 lead with 7:02 remaining.
The lead seesawed between the two teams over the next five
minutes before Sara Carter broke the game's sixth and final tie
with a long-range jumper with 1:43 left. FIU point guard Ivelina
Vrancheva then picked up her fifth personal foul with 50 seconds
remaining, and Russell made the resulting free-throws.
Shafer cut the lead to two, 70-68, on a three-pointer with
41 seconds to go. Carter then missed a three-point attempt on
the other end. FIU's Anita Heller came down the rebound and pushed
the ball up the court before FIU head coach Cindy Russo called
a timeout. USA's Carter stole the inbound pass, sealing the victory.
FIU's Milena Tomova posted a career-high 19 points while Shafer
chipped in 18 and Cormisha Cotton added 13.
Qiana Mitchell had 13 points and Carter scored 10 to help
give USA its first-ever win at Golden Panther Arena.
FIU returns to action on Saturday when the Golden Panthers
host New Orleans at 7:00 p.m. |