• Recap
• Bleachers

No. 10 Florida State beats Virginia Tech 78-68

Feb 19, 2010 - 3:20 AM By BRENT KALLESTAD Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.(AP) -- Jacinta Monroe is warming up down the stretch.

The Florida State senior had a season-high 20 points and 11 rebounds Thursday night to lead the 10th-ranked Seminoles to a 78-68 win over Virginia Tech.

"She's really using all her tools right now," Virginia Tech coach Beth Dunkenberger said. "She's tough because she can hit the high-post jumper, she can take you off the bounce and she can really go to the boards."

It was the 6-foot-5 Monroe's third double-double in five games as the Seminoles (23-4, 9-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) stayed within a game of league-leading Duke in their bid for a second straight regular season title.

"I've been playing kind of stagnant throughout the season, and that's my fault," said Monroe, who became the first Seminoles player to record 200 rebounds in four straight seasons. "I've been kind of sitting back and letting things happen. I have to make sure I step up for my teammates and play better basketball, because we need that from everybody."

Florida State has won nine of 10 games since a loss at Miami on Jan. 10. Aside from a 73-43 loss Jan. 29 at Duke, the Seminoles have won by an average of 21.1 points a game.

"When we get comfortable, we're not very good," Florida State coach Sue Semrau said. "We've got to put pressure on ourselves so we don't get comfortable."

Monroe shot 8 for 13 and had five offensive rebounds. Courtney Ward had 14 points, including 4 for 5 on 3-pointers, Cierra Bravard scored 13 points and redshirt freshman Alexa Deluzio had 11.

Deluzio had a spectacular basket where she flipped a shot blindly up over her head after being knocked to the floor.

"She's extremely athletic," Semrau said. "She has a great knack for things."

Lindsay Biggs led Virginia Tech (13-13, 2-9) with 23 points and Porschia Hadley added 15

Dunkenberger's attempts to find the right matchups against the balanced Florida State attack were overcome by the Seminoles' outside shooting.

"We didn't get out on the shooters," Dunkenberger said.

With Ward leading the way, Florida State shot 7 for 14 from long distance.

The Seminoles built their largest lead 6 minutes into the second half at 51-35 on two free throws by Monroe. Virginia Tech pulled to 68-59 with 4:15 left on Biggs' 3, but could get no closer.

Deluzio's 3 with 6 seconds left in the half gave the Seminoles a 32-37 lead at the break.

Biggs and Hadley combined for nine consecutive points as the Hokies tied the score at 18-18 with 5:46 left in the half, but Monroe's layup gave the Seminoles the lead for good.

Florida State shot 44.3 percent and had a 40-28 advantage in rebounds.