Florida State University Athletics
No. 24 Noles Get Tough Win Over Syracuse
2/16/2023 9:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State fought through a tough Syracuse team to claim back-to-back victories against the Orange for the first time since 2015, winning 78-65 on Thursday night at the Tucker Center. The win also elevates them to 10 conference wins for the eighth consecutive season.
Erin Howard got the night started with a three from distance on the first possession, that along with some signature Ta'Niya Latson drives to the basket forced Syracuse coach Felisha Legette-Jack into an early timeout. Syracuse regained some ground and briefly held the lead before Makayla Timpson leaped over the Orange players in the paint for the offensive board and converted the tough layup. The first ten went by with a 24-17 Noles lead.
#NoleFAM pic.twitter.com/4pSQeQZt2m
— FSU Women's Basketball (@fsuwbb) February 17, 2023
FSU held the Syracuse offense in check to start the second quarter, limiting them to a stretch of eight straight missed baskets from the field and scoreless for just under four minutes. Mariana Valenzuela was perfect in the frame with two mid-range jumpers and a seemingly regularly-scheduled knockdown 3-pointer. The Seminoles weren't able to increase their seven-point lead and went into the break up 40-33.
The two sides continued to match stride for stride as Florida State kept shutting down Orange momentum with consistent play inside the arc in the form of tough layups they made look easy and very strong shooting inside. Senior Valencia Myers brought the Tucker Center to life with a crafty two-pointer in the paint but Syracuse cut into the lead with three successful trips to the charity stripe to make it a three point contest.
The three season-leading scorers Latson, Timpson, and Sara Bejedi, each began the quarter with a bucket that pushed the lead to 7. The three dug in deep to provide the points in the crucial moments, providing a combined 14 points which were the only Seminole points in the frame until Howard launched a corner three while being fouled, the ball sunk through the net and the crowd roared into life, putting the game out of reach and along with the bad taste of the two straight road losses.
ERIN BIG BUCKETS HOWARD!
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6548.1 secs left | #NoleFAM pic.twitter.com/lvm6ZZyLx4
— FSU Women's Basketball (@fsuwbb) February 17, 2023
Timpson continued to showcase her dominance in the paint with another double-double, her 12th of the season at 17 points and 14 rebounds. This was also her sixth straight game with double-digits as her dual-threat ability of scoring and rebounding proves to be one of the best in the conference. Along with three second half blocks, she passed Head Coach Brooke Wyckoff's 64 blocks that she earned in her sophomore season.
Howard provided some much-needed baskets that brought life back to the Noles. Three long range daggers and a layup gave her 11 points coupled with an incredible 4 offensive rebounds for a productive night on the court. With her opening three pointer she extended a remarkable record from beyond the arc with 21 straight games with a field goal from outside.
Latson was just shy of yet another 20-point night at 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. She now sits just six points away from fourth place on the FSU Single Season Scoring with 609 held by Roneeka Hodges. Latson became the fourth Seminole to join the 600-point club in a season, and the first since Natasha Howard in 2013-14.
Valencia Myers was honored before the game for having the most games played in FSU Women's Basketball history, breaking the feat last weekend in Blacksburg and making it 140 as she checked in tonight. She provided 4 points, 3 rebounds, and a monster block off the bench. Her block gave the 2022-23 Seminoles the most blocks in a season in program history with 167.
Florida State will have a quick turnaround with Senior Day this Sunday in the final home game against Georgia Tech. Valencia Myers, Erin Howard, Jazmine Massengill, and Taylor O'Brien will be honored around minutes before tipoff. The final regular season game at the Tucker Center will commence this Sunday at 2PM on ACC Network.
