No. 9 Louisville (24-4, 14-1) overwhelmed Florida State women’s basketball (9-17, 4-10 in ACC) from the opening tip, handing the Seminoles an 88-65 loss Sunday at the KFC Yum! Center as FSU’s early scoring struggles proved too much to overcome.
FSU managed just 10 points in each of the first two quarters while the Cardinals used their depth and defensive pressure to build a 34-20 halftime lead.
Advertisement
Despite the deficit, the Seminoles received standout performances from graduate forward Allie Kubek and sophomore guard Sole Williams. Kubek posted her first double-double of the season with a season‑high 18 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks while shooting 7 of 10 from the field and knocking down two of FSU’s 10 3-pointers. It marked the 13th double‑double of her career.
Williams led FSU in scoring for the second straight game, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists. She shot 6 of 11 and was a perfect 4 of 4 from the free‑throw line.
Williams opened the game with five quick points on a 3-pointer and fast‑break layup just 24 seconds apart. Kubek’s late bucket pushed FSU into double figures, but Louisville held a 19-10 lead after one quarter. The Seminoles finished 10 of 27 from 3-point range — the second time this season they have hit double digits from beyond the arc.
Louisville (five players in double figures) controlled the second half and led by 22 entering the fourth quarter. Laura Ziegler paced the Cardinals with 14 points, while Imari Berry, Skylar Jones and Reyna Scott each added 11. Freshman Grace Mbugua chipped in 10.
Advertisement
FSU outrebounded the Cardinals but couldn’t close the scoring gap as Louisville’s bench accounted for four of its five double‑figure scorers.
Need a break Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
What’s next for FSU basketball
FSU will return to Donald L. Tucker Civic Center to host Cal (16-11, 7-7) and Stanford (16-11, 5-9) this week before finishing the remaining two games on the road. The Cal game is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. The Stanford game will be on Sunday at 2 p.m.
2025-26 FSU Women’s Basketball Regular Season Schedule
-
Nov. 3 Florida A&M, W, 112-39
-
Nov. 6 Georgia Southern W 80-72
-
Nov. 9 at UConn L, 99-67
-
Nov. 12 Nicholls State W, 89-64
-
Nov. 16 Indiana L, 76-72
-
Nov. 20 at Florida, L 89-67
-
Nov. 23 Illinois L 86-63
-
Nov. 28 vs. Missouri State W 85-75
-
Nov. 30 vs. No. 8 Oklahoma L 109-91
-
Dec. 3 Georgia, L 80-60
-
Dec. 7 Notre Dame L, 93-58
-
Dec. 14 College of Charleston L 75-70
-
Dec. 18 Virginia Tech L 79-54
-
Dec. 20 South Carolina State W 89-41
-
Jan 1 at Syracuse L, 82-72
-
Jan. 4 Virginia L, 91-87 double OT
-
Jan. 11 at Miami L 89-73
-
Jan. 15 at Pittsburgh W 69-65
-
Jan. 18 North Carolina L 82-55
-
Jan. 22 at SMU W 73-51
-
Jan. 25 Georgia Tech L 80-69
-
Feb. 1 at Clemson L 77-58
-
Feb. 5 at NC State L 88-55
-
Feb. 12 Boston College W 85-76
-
Feb. 15 at Louisville L 88-65
-
Feb. 19 California Tallahassee, Fla.
-
Feb. 22 Stanford Tallahassee, Fla. – 2 PM | ACCN
-
Feb. 26 at Duke Durham, N.C. – 9 PM | ACCN
-
March 1 at Wake Forest Winston-Salem, N.C. – 4 PM | ACCN
More: Bobby Bowden’s assistant reflect as home, treasures head to auction
Advertisement
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: No. 9 Louisville tops FSU women’s basketball, 88-65 in ACC Matchup
