Nov. 18, 2001 – The Florida State Seminoles used their deep bench strength to topple the St. Mary's College Gaels 78-57 in the women's division game opener of the 2001 Paradise Jam Sunday afternoon at the University of the Virgin Islands.
The crowd at the Sports and Fitness Center was sparse but the NCAA action on the court was intense in the first half. St. Mary's twins Jerkisha and Jermisha Dosty controlled the paint for the Gaels in the half. Meanwhile, Shinikki Whiting was the Seminoles' No. 1 offensive weapon, scoring seven of her team's first 13 points.
The Gaels shot a remarkable 48 percent from the field and 80 percent from behind the arch in the half, compared with 32 percent and 30 percent, respectively, for Florida State. However, the score at the end of the first half was 34-33 in favor of the 'Noles.
Florida State started the second half scoring 16 unanswered points and never looked back.
The fatigue was evident on the faces of the Gaels. "Fatigue played a key role in the outcome,"
Seminoles head coach Sue Semrau admitted afterward. "I believe that we just had first-game jitters in the first half," she added.
Whiting lead the 'Noles with 27 points, connecting with 9 of her 18 field goals. Teammate April Traylor contributed 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Traylor also shot 50 percent from the field, 6-12, but shot the lights out from the behind the arch, sinking three for four.
Jerkisha and Jermisha Dosty ended the game with 20 and 13 points, respectively, to lead the Gaels. Jermisha also added 10 rebounds. Point guard Corrie Mizusawa had six of her team's 10 assists.
