Florida State women’s basketball couldn’t reach 100 points when the crowd at the Donald L. Tucker Center chanted for it.
But a 98-74 win over the Florida Gators (3-2) would do just fine.
FSU wanted to make a statement and deliver in a dominating fashion against its in-state rivals. It was FSU’s third straight victory over the Gators and eighth consecutive at home in the series.
“Mostly, I’m proud because we are a good team, and I have two superstar performers next to me that are about the team first, and that shows up in how they play and how our team is successful,” FSU coach Brooke Wyckoff said.
FSU improved to 5-1 while Florida dropped to 3-2.
FSU’s big three reached double figures. Ta’Niya Latson led with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists. O’Mariah Gordon added 19 and Makayla Timpson had 17.
Florida’s top scorer was freshman guard Liv McGill, who scored 28 points, five assists, and three rebounds. Ra’Shaya Kyle recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Here are the three takeaways.
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FSU basketball never stopped attacking
FSU was playing too fast and was too much for the Gators to handle. The Seminoles scored 34 points in the paint.
Wyckoff said after the game that Latson and Gordon’s relentless efforts in the basket contributed to the team’s offensive success inside.
“It is amazing to watch but also to play with,” Wyckoff said.
“When someone is just relentlessly attacking and just pushing and doing great things around the rim and is a willing passer to open, people are fun to play with.”
The Seminoles also dominated on the boards with 18 offensive rebounds and scored 31 second-chance points. Leading the bench was Avery Treadwell, who finished the night making 4 for 4 from the field.
“We have unselfish players that are willing to do whatever they can in their role,” Wyckoff said.
FSU recorded 22 bench points.
The Gators were also efficient inside, with 38 points in the paint but with 10 second-chance points.
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FSU basketball’s defense wears down Florida
The Gators had the height advantage, but the Seminoles used that against them in the post. FSU forced 18 turnovers, eight blocked shots and eight steals.
FSU took full control in the second quarter when it outscored UF 31-15. The Seminoles led by as many as 20 points in the first half while forcing the Gators to make tough shots. FSU led 47-31 at the half.
“Our second quarter was amazing, and that led to our best offensive quarter,” Wyckoff said.
“There are things that I am seeing that I really, really love. It’s in us. That’s why we’re doing this, but it takes time and reps, but I’m proud of the buy-in from the players and things I’m seeing throughout the game.”
Timpson threw a block party inside the paint as she finished the night with four blocks to accompany her 21-point performance. The senior forward had to do the dirty work in the post, matching up with Kyle inside.
“It’s a tough job,” Wyckoff said.
“You are battling, and it’s exhausting against somebody on the defensive end, and then have to do what we do on the offensive end.”
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FSU basketball knocks down its free throws. Florida struggled to make theirs
FSU’s three-point shooting wasn’t there, but its free throws were. FSU was at the free-throw line 40 times and only six the whole game. Their free throws complimented the Seminoles for attacking the basket.
Latson lived in the free-throw line, finishing the night with 13 of her 14 free-throw attempts. For her, it’s her confidence in making the free-throw baskets as a reward for attacking the rim.
“I just go out there with confidence, and I know that it’s free money,” Latson said. That’s the difference between 15 and 20, so I know I have to hit all of them.”
Timpson was 9 of 10, O’Mariah Gordon made 5 of her six, and Sydney Bowles made all four.
The Gators, on the other hand, struggled at the line, making only 6 of 14 free throws. Kyle shot 5 of 10 at the line despite her double-double performance.
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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU women’s basketball shuts down rival Florida with defense, 98-74
