Dominique Toussaint scored five of her 14 points in the final 1:27, including the go-ahead 3-pointer, and Virginia held No. 4 Florida State to five points in the fourth quarter in a 60-51 victory Thursday night.
Toussaint's 3-pointer, just the third of the night for the Cavaliers, put them in front 53-51, and after a turnover by the Seminoles, she hit a runner along the baseline from about 8 feet with 51 seconds left to put Virginia (17-9, 6-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) ahead to stay.
Shakayla Thomas scored 11 points and Brittany Brown and Ivey Slaughter had 10 each for Florida State (23-4, 11-2), which lost its second in a row and fell out of a first-place tie with Notre Dame. The Seminoles shot just 35 percent (21-60) and 17.4 percent from 3-point territory, missing 19 of their 23 attempts.
The Seminoles used a 13-5 run to start the third quarter to open an eight-point lead, but the Cavaliers finally pulled even at 48 with 6:08 remaining on a baseline jumper by Breyana Mason. Mason's foul-line jumper gave Virginia a 50-48 advantage with 4:17 remaining.
BIG PICTURE
Florida State: The Seminoles not only lead the ACC in scoring, averaging 79.5 points in conference games, but they are second in scoring defense, allowing just 59.1 points per game. Those things, and five upperclass starters (two juniors, three seniors) suggest Florida State will be a tough out in the postseason.
Virginia: The Cavaliers are in the midst of a transformation with an increased attention to defense, and to developing their younger players. Coach Joanne Boyle started three freshmen for the second game in a row, and in Virginia's first 25 games this season, a freshman was their leading scorer 13 times.
UP NEXT
The Seminoles return home for a quick turnaround game against Clemson on Saturday.
Virginia travels to Blacksburg on Sunday to play state rival Virginia Tech, which it beat 76-27 on Jan. 26.