TALLASSEE, FL (11/25/01)- Struggling to find its shooting touch and handcuffed by foul trouble, the Saint Joseph's University women's basketball team (3-1) dropped a 72-45 decision to Florida State (4-0) in the championship game of the Tallahassee Democrat Seminole Classic. The Hawks managed to shoot a paltry 29.8% (17-57) from the floor in the contest, while FSU connected at a 48.1% clip. Junior Colleen McGahan led the Crimson and Gray with 12 points. Unable to hit from the field, SJU was taken out of its game quickly by the sure-shooting of the host Seminoles. FSU shot nearly 60% in the first half and rapidly established a 14 point lead, 21-7, less than ten minutes into the game. The Hawks meanwhile appeared to be shooting at a hoop with the lid on it. SJU shot 8-32 (25.0%) in the first half and the backcourt tandem of sophomore Amra Mehmedic and senior Jane Meade was completely shutout, combining to go 0-9 before the break. With little perimeter play to open up the middle, FSU collapsed down low, forcing the usually sweet-shooting Susan Moran to make just 2-10 field goals. Only McGahan had any success, hitting three three-pointers. The Crimson and Gray trailed at intermission 38-22. In addition to their shooting woes, one-sided whitsles by the officials further handicapped the Hawks by forcing the team's top three frontcourt players to the bench with foul trouble. Moran and sophomore Irina Krasnoshiok were each tagged with three fouls apiece before the break and sophomore Stephanie Graff was saddled with two fouls. The officiating crew seemed comfortable flagging the Hawks with soft calls on the block, while allowing FSU to manhandle SJU at the other end. Until the game's outcome had been all but decided with six minutes to play, the Hawks had been whistled for 18 fouls to just six for the host team. The biggest whistle came early in the second half, when Moran fouled out of the game with still 12:29 remaining. The second half featured more of the same for the Hawks, as foul trouble stifled the team's play defensively and poor shooting limited any hopes of a comeback. Mehmedic and Meade finished 0-13 for the game, while Moran ended up 3-12 from the floor. Moran finished with just 7 points ending a string of 31 straight games in double figures. The 7 points were her fewest since a 7 point outing in the 2000 NCAA Tournament against Rutgers. Besides McGahan's 12 points, senior Amy Snell added 8 points and Krasnoshiok scored 9. FSU was paced by Shinikki Whiting's 17 points and 8 rebounds. The defeat snapped a string of eight straight wins by SJU at in-season tournaments dating back to 1999. It also ended the Hawks run of in-season tourney titles at three. Moran was named to the all-tournament team. SJU will aim to get back on track next Saturday, December 1, when the Hawks host Boston College at the Fieldhouse at 2:00 p.m. © Copyright 11/25/01 Saint Joseph's University & Saint Joseph's University Athletic Department