No. 19 Florida State women’s basketball suffered its first road loss, 83-74, to Illinois in an ACC-Big 10 showdown on Thursday evening. The Seminoles dropped to 1-1 to start the season.
The Seminoles trailed from the start. The Fighting Illini led by as many as 17 points. At the half, it was 34-23. FSU made a late comeback, cutting Illinois’ lead to five points despite its poor shooting.
“I’m disappointed in how we started the game. I think that was where it was lost for us, and you know, that’s why we played these games early. They had a great environment here. So, really get to be tested in a way,” FSU coach Brooke Wyckoff said after the game.
“And so it just took us a little while to get our flow, and so that was really the game, but I’m proud of how we battled back and how we played the last three quarters.”
Illinois never lost its lead. The Fighting Illini continued to attack inside and create fouls. Illinois shot 23 of its 31 free-throw attempts.
Both teams struggled to shoot from behind the arc. FSU was 5 for 21 in three-pointers and shot 39.7 percent from the field. Ta’Niya Latson was FSU’s top scorer with 27 points, three assists and three steals.
Makayla Timpson, who played her 100th game, recorded her 33rd career double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. O’Maria Gordon was also in double figures with 14 points, six boards and three assists.
The Seminoles return to the court on Monday to face the FAMU Rattlers in a crosstown showdown at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Tipoff is 6 p.m.
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: No. 19 FSU basketball suffers first loss on the season at Illinois
