Jackets struggle against Seminoles

In Friday's game, the calendar read Feb. 9th, but it might as well have been Friday the 13th. Tech and Florida State turned in a horrific, even sometimes terrifying, performance. The two teams combined for more than 50 turnovers and Tech shot just 26 percent from the field.

Tech's offensive horrors were too much for the team to overcome as they lost their second straight game on the road 63-52.

Even though the game was characterized by turnovers and extensive scoring runs, the Jackets can look to their ineffectiveness of turning their opponent's turnovers into points as the cause for the loss. The Seminoles committed 30 of the 51 turnovers, but Tech was only able to score 11 points off of the turnovers.

Tech was led by Jacqua Williams. Williams scored 15 points and had six steals for the Jackets. As a team, the Jackets were able to snag 18 offensive rebounds, but that number was inflated due to the number of point-blank opportunities the team was not able to capitalize on.

The Seminoles' Alicia Gladden shined, shooting 75 percent from the field and scoring 14 points while adding four steals. Her performance helped Florida State improve to 7-2 in conference play.

Early in the game, Tech was able to force seven quick turnovers and jump out to a 4-2 lead. The Seminoles responded and went on a 13-0 run, while the Jackets demonstrated the definition of futility. Tech turned the ball over on five of their next seven possessions.

Trailing 15-4, it was Tech's turn to go on a 13 point scoring run. Stephanie Higgs ended Tech's scoring drought with two free throws. Higgs took control of the game for the Jackets and scored seven of the team's 13 points during the run.

"It's my senior year, so it takes me about two seconds to realize, 'Okay, this is it, you only have a couple more games left, you can't waste any time," Higgs said.

Higgs was helped by sloppy ball handling by the Seminoles. Florida State turned the ball over nine times during the run.

As the half approached, the Seminoles took advantage of a porous Tech defense. Florida State had four layups on their final possessions and headed to the locker room with a 25-19 lead.

In the second half the Jackets' horrendous shooting did them in. They managed to hit only nine out of 38 field goal attempts in the half.

On the other side, Shante Williams scored 11 points in the second half, mostly from the line. She took advantage of her ability to beat her defender off the dribble, and forced Higgs to foul out.

With Higgs out and the field goal shooting at a season low, the Jackets were never able to recover and trailed by as much as 17 before the final horn sounded.

The woman's basketball team is now 6-5 in the ACC and will finish conference play against three teams that have sub .500 conference records.

The Jackets will play against the Clemson Tigers at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Saturday at 7 p.m.