Notes / live updates: FSU vs. No. 11 NC State

[Bob Ferrante]

Some pregame notes via FSU sports information:

Florida State (15-3, 4-1 ACC) and 11th-ranked NC State (13-3, 3-2) match up in a conference matchup at the Donald L. Tucker Center. FSU is tied for second in the league with Louisville (4-1), while NC State is tied for fifth (3-2). The teams will play at 6 p.m. on the ACC Network.

FSU is looking to snap a five-game losing streak vs. the Wolfpack, its longest active losing streak vs. any ACC team. The Seminoles have defeated NC State three times when the Wolfpack were ranked in the AP Top 25, with the last occurring in the 75-70 win vs. No. 9 NC State on Feb. 7, 2019.

Senior guard Sara Bejedi is coming off a career-best scoring performance last game at Boston College. The Helsinki, Finland, native delivered a career-best 26 points, drew eight fouls, went 7-of-12 from the floor, 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 8-of-10 from the line. Bejedi scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting in last year’s ACC Tournament game vs. NC State.

Freshman guard Ta’Niya Latson ranks in the Top four nationally in free throws made (first; 124), points scored (second; 444) and field goals made (fourth; 147). Only Latson and Villanova’s Maddy Siegrist rank in the Top four in all three categories.

Florida State leads the ACC in scoring at 87.3 points per game, a mark that also ranks third nationally behind only LSU (89.7) and Georgia Southern (88.9). The Seminoles have scored above 70 points in all 18 games played this season. The school record for high- est scoring average is 83.8 points per game in the 1990-91 season.

 

[Noles61]

Go Noles. Looking good so far.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

River Baldwin making her return to Tallahassee

Bejedi (seven points) and Latson (six points) pace FSU to 19-10 lead

 

[Bob Ferrante]

After 1Q: FSU 28, NC State 19

 

[semispear]

We are struggling a little with their zone but great start. Multiple players have played well so far tonight.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU's lead evaporating in 2Q, FSU still up 36-31 with 1:44 to half

 

[NoleSince1961]

Bejedi!!!

 

[NoleLizards]

What a three at the buzzer! That was from Steph Curry range!!

 

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU leads 43-33 at the half. Bejedi hit a 3 just before halftime

 

[semispear]

Bejedi!! Continuing her hot play from BC on Sunday!

10 point lead at the half. They were able to draw 3 fouls on Baldwin as well.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

Nice start to 3Q: FSU on a 19-5 run

 

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU 74-54 after 3Q

Latson with 26 points, Bejedi with 19 points

 

[semispear]

Latson!!

What a great bounce back performance from her worst game of the season against BC. Really hard to believe she is only a freshman with her composure and IQ.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

Final: FSU 91, NC State 72

Latson scores 31 points

 

[Noles61]

Great game and win!
Latson! Bejedi!
Timpson:another double double and 2 blocks!

Massengill, 8 rebs, 6 assists 6pts

If we can lay it on UL Sunday, we better be ranked come monday.

 

[ariya_massoudi]

Thoughts from the Play-by-Play booth:

- Ta'Niya Latson is different. She's the best player on the floor every night out and I've never quite seen anything like it at FSU. I've been so impressed with her ability to handle the pressure of being a star so early in her career. She's just too skilled and athletic for most players at this level and will play in the WNBA for a very long time. She's also a pleasure to be around and such a great teammate. Her mentality every day is so unique to observe.

- Bejedi playing at this level changes the team, it propels them to a whole new place. They were Sweet 16 good before her recent hot streak, but if they get this version of Sara offensively on a consistent basis, they have a chance for more. She's already a lock down defender and an engineer of the gritty personality of the team, but the complete package makes the Noles capable of beating any team in the country.

- KK Timpson is so underrated and overlooked because of Latson's shine this season. But KK has made such great strides since last year and is athletically too much for most players at this level. She can get a double-double whenever she wants and has worked hard on developing her game.
- It felt amazing to beat NC State. They've been the source of so much pain for the program in recent memory (2020 ACC Title Game, etc.) and have been a measuring stick game for most in the ACC. On this night, the Noles not only looked much better than them, but maybe the best team in the ACC. That one was extra sweet for the locker room (first win vs. the Wolfpack since 2019!).

- Jaz Massengill is the glue. She does a little bit of everything and is the floor general, the calming force on the court, and in the locker room. Special human being to be around as well.

- The culture of this team is so good right now. Brooke deserves all the credit in the world for getting just 10 players to buy in and believe in each other. Yes, Latson is a star, but there's more to it than that. It's a group that doesn't panic, is confident, and so humble. Getting Bill Ferrara on staff was huge. He's significantly improved every offense he's ever been a part of and his scheme is difficult to stop. FSU hasn't scored less than 71 points in any game this year.

- Lots of season left. There will be ups and downs along the way, they just have to stay the course. Respond to adversity and be consistent. If they can do that (and stay healthy), they've got a shot to do something special. Louisville will be a great test to see how this team handles success.