University of Washington
Florida State
Dawgs Drop Florida State In Cancun Opener, 80-68
November 27, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Box Score
CANCUN, Mexico – Washington (3-1) began the Cancun Challenge with a big non-conference victory over ACC power Florida State (4-1), 80-68. The Dawgs led nearly from start to finish, playing their best defensive game of the season to holding Florida State to just 34.6 percent shooting.
“It was our most complete performance so far,” said head coach Mike Neighbors. “The team was fully focused on what we came down here to do.”
Jazmine Davis led the way for the Huskies, scoring 24 points, including 11-12 from the free throw line. She became the aggressor when the nation's leading scorer Kelsey Plum was mired in early foul trouble.
“We could have panicked when Kelsey got two early fouls, but the other girls stepped up,” said Neighbors. “Kelsey does what she does, so teams are loading up on her, but we have someone else ready to go.”
Davis was that person as Neighbors called her the “most aggressive player on the court,” but the Dawgs also got a career night from Chantel Osahor with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Coming off the bench, Osahor secured her first career double-double, while knocking down a career-high four 3-pointers. The versatile post player was big on the defensive glass, starting the Husky break with her outlet passing and giving the Seminoles headaches with her ability to shoot from distance.
“Chantel is pretty efficient,” said Neighbors. “She is 4-7, but could go 7-7 from out there. What she does really well is get those defensive rebounds. We finished only down two rebounds to a team that has been crushing people on the glass.”
The rebounding was indeed key as the Seminoles stayed in the game early by crashing the offensive glass. Washington trailed big early on in rebounding margin, but bounced back to get nearly even for the game, 47-45.
Along with the 24 from Davis and 15 from Osahor, Plum chipped in 13, despite not scoring in the first half and Talia Walton had 11 on 4-9 shooting.
The Dawgs led by 12 at the break and never really let Florida State back in the game in the second half. The Seminoles got within single digits just one time, trailing by nine with 16:30 to play, but the Dawgs immediately thwarted that attempt when Davis knocked down a long 3-pointer to push the Husky lead back to 12.
In the first half, Washington was able to slowly build a lead by getting after it at the defensive end. Florida State did not score until the 17:13 mark of the first half as the Huskies defended the athletic Seminole squad. The 'Noles shot just 26.8 percent for the half as the Dawgs would lead by as many as 14 points late in the period.
Davis handled the load of the Husky scoring in the first half with 15 points as Plum played just seven minutes and did not score with foul trouble. Davis was just 4-13 from the floor, but her aggressive nature drew fouls and the senior made 7-8 from the free throw line.
At the other end, the Dawgs kept Florida State out of the lane and blocked five shots when they did get it inside. Walton and Katie Collier each blocked a pair of shots in the first half, which also led the Husky offense getting out in transition.
Leading by 12 at the half, Washington kept that margin consistent and cruised to a 12-point victory. The win will surely be one that is looked back upon come postseason time as the Seminoles are a perennial power out of the ACC, picked to finish fifth in that deep league this season.
The Dawgs will now have less than 24 hours to rest as they get ready to face Harford in the second game of the Cancun Challenge. Tip is set for 12:30, PT as the Huskies look to push their win streak to four.
