Florida National University lost 72-69 to the University of the Virgin Islands (USVI) in women’s basketball Wednesday in Hialeah, Fla. The University of the Virgin Islands led 22-10 after the first quarter before Florida National rallied within seven points by halftime. Florida National then outscored its opponent 30-19 in the third quarter but could not complete the comeback.
Maria De Gracia Karamanites led Florida National with 20 points and nine rebounds, finishing one rebound short of a double-double. She scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds in the fourth quarter. Valeria Cifuentes added nine points, while Adaya Montalvo scored 13.
Florida National rallies after slow start
The University of the Virgin Islands controlled the opening period with a 22-10 advantage. Karamanites scored four points for Florida National in the quarter, and Destiny Bishop and Tiana Carey combined for 11 points during the first half. The teams combined to make two of 12 3-point attempts in the opening quarter.
Florida National responded by outscoring the University of the Virgin Islands 16-11 in the second quarter. Jaylyn Laguna and Montalvo each made a 3-pointer, while Karla Quintero scored four points on two layups. Florida National also recorded six steals in the quarter and entered halftime trailing by seven.
Florida National produced its strongest stretch in the third quarter. Montalvo scored eight points, Karamanites added four and Ziul Gonzalez contributed six points on 2-for-3 shooting from the floor. Laguna scored four points as Florida National shot 58.8% from the field and went 8-for-14 from the free-throw line in the period.
Florida National outscored the University of the Virgin Islands 30-19 in the third quarter and entered the fourth period trailing 56-52. The rally brought Florida National back into the game after the early 12-point deficit. The team then faced a one-possession game in the final period.
University of the Virgin Islands secures win late
Khan and Bishop helped the University of the Virgin Islands pull within one in the fourth quarter. Danica Robles then made two free throws to give the University of the Virgin Islands a 61-58 lead. Florida National scored only two points during the first five minutes of the quarter.
Florida National continued to attack behind Karamanites and Cifuentes, but the University of the Virgin Islands secured the victory at the free-throw line in the closing seconds. Carey made a free throw, leaving Florida National with six seconds to respond. Laguna’s 3-point attempt from the corner was not released before the buzzer.
Gonzalez finished with eight points and three steals off the bench. Montalvo scored 13 points, and Cifuentes finished with nine. Florida National’s third-quarter surge kept the game within reach, but the early deficit ultimately proved decisive.
Next game
Florida National is scheduled to play Beacon College at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in Leesburg, Fla. The game will be Florida National’s next opportunity to turn a strong middle portion into a complete performance. The matchup follows the team’s 30-point third quarter against the University of the Virgin Islands.
FSB Take
Florida National showed it could reverse the game’s momentum after falling behind 22-10 in the opening quarter. The 30-19 third-quarter edge, supported by efficient field-goal shooting and bench scoring, put the team within four entering the fourth. The next challenge is sustaining that response earlier and through the final possessions.
Source: Original report