JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore guard Destiny Marshall posted 20 points to lead the Jacksonville University women's basketball team as the Dolphins battled against No. 12 Florida State, but the Seminoles pulled away in the second half in a 75-41 decision, Wednesday evening at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
 
"We did a solid job defensively in the first half and we let some things slip in the second half defensively. We have to be able to put the ball in the basket a little better. We need to do just a couple more things and take advantage of a couple more opportunities that we had against Florida State in order to be successful against a team like that," noted head coach Darnell Haney.
 
"Playing against the number 12 team in the country, you have to put the ball in the basket and execute offensively and defensively in order to have a chance against them. The group came out, especially in the first half, and played hard. They showed grit, toughness, and they were relentless. We have to continue to go back to the drawing board and get back to it."
 
Marshall added eight rebounds and two steals, while both junior Jada Perry (6 rebounds) and redshirt-senior Shalonda Neely (10 rebounds) combined for 16 boards for the Dolphins. For her efforts, Marshall earned Hodges Mazda Player of the Game honors.
 

"Destiny is probably one of the most competitive and strongest-willed kids I've ever coached," added Haney. "I'm excited about what's in store for her as a player and how she can develop into a phenomenal player. She comes with it every day, she has a great attitude, and she's going to be a force to reckon with in years to come. I'm excited about her growth and what she brings to the table. Everybody on our team feeds off of her energy so the energy alone helps us as a team."
 
Jacksonville (1-2) held the Seminoles scoreless through the first 1:54 of the game as the Seminoles were immediately shut down on their first shot by a block from Neely. With its signature stingy defense, Jacksonville continued to battle the No. 12 team in the nation despite a last-minute shot at the end of the first that extended the Seminoles' lead to 15-7.
 
A three-pointer from senior Alexis Burns halfway through the second quarter brought the Dolphins with six, 23-17, with 5:27 to play before halftime. Florida State (3-0) closed out the half with a 9-2 run to hold a 32-19 advantage at the intermission.
 
Jacksonville came within nine, 32-21, on a jumper from Perry just 13 seconds into the third quarter and the Dolphins held close to the Seminoles with back-to-back layups from Marshall (7:09) and redshirt-senior Shakayla Nevitt (6:40). However, a 13-4 run by the hosts extended their lead to 50-29 to put the game out of reach heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
As the Seminoles put their press on in the fourth, the Dolphins worked to overcome foul trouble and managed just four points halfway through the quarter. Though the Dolphins saw a three-pointer from senior Kiara Meeks with 24 seconds on the clock, the damage was done as FSU held a 75-41 lead at the buzzer.
 
Florida State's Nuasia Woolfolk posted a game-high 22 points, while Kiah Gillespie added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Seminoles.
 
Jacksonville returns home to Historic Swisher Gymnasium for its next two games, beginning this Saturday, Nov. 16 against Johnson (Fla.) at 1 p.m. before facing off with former ASUN foe USC Upstate on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m.