CANCUN, Mexico – Mexican-born sophomore forward Mariana Valenzuela totaled a career-high 19 points off the bench to spark Florida State Women’s Basketball to an 88-57 win over Harvard in its final game of the Cancun Challenge on Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
The Seminoles (7-1) finish the tournament 2-1 with wins over Purdue (76-75) and Harvard and a close loss to Oklahoma State (79-77).
Leaving Cancun with two more dubs #NoleFAM pic.twitter.com/zjyfcCd6N2— FSU Women's Basketball (@fsuwbb) November 26, 2022
Valenzuela played a huge role in Florida State’s breakaway third quarter that ignited Saturday’s win. The Mazatlán, Mexico native delivered 11 of her 19 points in the third as FSU out-scored the Crimson 27-13 to create the cushion it needed. The 14-0 run that helped to seal the game was highlighted by Valenzuela’s back-to-back 3-point field goals that helped FSU run out to a 70-42 advantage.
Valenzuela finished 7-of-10 from the floo
CANCUN, Mexico – Despite out-scoring Oklahoma State, 42-30, in the second half, Florida State Women’s Basketball absorbed its first loss of the season in an entertaining game against the Cowgirls. The Seminoles (5-1) fell 79-77 in their first game of the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Cancun, Mexico.
With 13.1 seconds left, Florida State rebounded a missed free throw from The Cowgirls (5-1) and called a timeout trailing by two. A well-drawn up play out of the timeout was nearly executed, but FSU could not convert on the layup attempt as time subsequently ran out following the miss.
We turn our attention to Friday's opponent: Purdue.
The #Noles and Boilermakers play at 1:30PM tomorrow in the @CancunChallenge #NoleFAM pic.twitter.com/0elRqjQoge FSU Women's Basketball (@fsuwbb) November 24, 2022
Despite putting itself in a 49-35 hole at the half, FSU chipped away in the second half. Freshman guard Ta’Niya Latson scored 16 of her 20