Women's hoops plays No. 2 UCLA in Connecticut

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU sports information:

No. 20 Florida State Women’s Basketball (7-2) makes its fourth trip to Mohegan Sun Arena as it battles No. 2 UCLA on Sunday at Noon at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. The nationally-televised game airs on ESPN2 with FSU Alumna Angel Gray (play-by-play) on the call alongside Rebecca Lobo (color).

FSU played in the arena in 2015 (UConn), 2019 (Michigan) and in 2022 (UConn). Head Coach Brooke Wyckoff makes another return to the arena where she spent three of her nine years in the WNBA, playing for the Connecticut Sun from 2003-05. Wyckoff is especially remembered for her buzzer-beating 3-point field goal in game two of the 2005 WNBA Finals that sent the game to overtime against the Sacramento Monarchs.

The Seminoles are looking to tie for their highest-ranked win in program history against second-ranked UCLA (8-0). FSU defeated No. 2 Duke at home, 80-74, on Feb. 4, 2004, and also defeated No. 2 Louisville on the road, 50-49, on Jan. 21, 2018.

UCLA Head Coach Cori Close spent seven successful seasons as an Associate Head Coach at Florida State under the guidance of Sue Semrau from 2004-11. Close was part of the program’s first NCAA Sweet 16 team (2006-07), the first NCAA Elite Eight team (2009-10) as well as two ACC co-championship teams in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

The Bruins are already the sixth Power 5 opponent FSU has played this season in what is an aggressive non-conference schedule. FSU is 3-2 this year against Power 5 teams, with wins over then-No. 11 Tennessee (92-91), Florida (79-75) and Northwestern (90-52).

Junior forward Makayla Timpson ranks seventh nationally in blocks (29) and eighth in double-doubles (5). The other players ranking in the Top 8 in both are Cameron Brink (Stanford), Sedona Prince (TCU) and Kamilla Cardoso (South Carolina).

Timpson ranks fifth on FSU’s career blocked shots list with 129. The record holder is Jacinta Monroe (2006-10) with 301 blocks.

In last year’s visit to Mohegan Sun Arena, Ta’Niya Latson recorded 24 points (9-of-10 from the free throw line) against UConn.

The Seminoles rank 16th nationally averaging 84.6 points per game. FSU tied its season high for points last game in a 99-73 win over Jacksonville. FSU has scored above 75 points in eight of nine games and 80 points or above in six of nine games.

FSU shot a season-best 56.3 percent (36-of-64) from the floor last game against Jacksonville.

 

[semispear]

Off to a slow start. Gonna need to make outside shots to keep up in this one

 

[semispear]

Viegas giving some life to the offense at the end of the first quarter to cut the lead to 9.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

Just 7 of 23 from the floor at TV timeout in 2Q

32-25 UConn

 

[SallySeminole]

Just 7 of 23 from the floor at TV timeout in 2Q

32-25 UConn

BIG girls! Like Otto Petty against Bill Walton.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

Latson with nine points in the 2Q

 

[semispear]

I suspected we would struggle to guard Betts but we can’t give UCLA the three ball as well. Defensive pressure on their guards has to improve.

Timpson and Gordon have to play better in the 2nd half to keep this close.

 

[semispear]

OMG down with what looks like an ankle 🤦🏾‍♂️

Latson and Timpson heating up to cut the lead to 8!

 

[rkcnoles]

If we don’t recruit some players with height we will never stay with the top teams! And I love watching the Noles play!

 

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU on the wrong end of the scoreboard but Latson delivering

Latson with her 22nd career 20-point game

 

[semispear]

Brooke has yet to use a two post lineup this season even when severely outmatched

 

[Bob Ferrante]

 

[semispear]

Great games from Bejedi and Latson. UCLA just had an answer for every run we had. Thought we could have found a way to get Viegas some touches as well. Glad that Gordon’s injury wasn’t serious and she was able to return.

Our team isn’t gonna add any size this season so it is what it is at this point. We just have to find a way to keep teams from scoring 80/90 on us.

On the bright side we won’t play against this type of size for the rest of the regular season.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

Not sure how you match up against Betts. Or VT's Kitley. They're just on a different level.

The challenge for FSU is the lack of experience in the post outside of Timpson. Valenzuela (at 6-2) would be valuable in this game as well as other matchups.

 

[semispear]

After facing the top three post players in the country this season (Jackson, Brink, Betts), I’m not as concerned with Kitley as she is a more finesse player and not a physical post. Timpson played her really well last season in single coverage (it was Amoore who killed us lol). Kitley is talented and will get hers as most post players will this season. Our perimeter defense has to be better to make up for it. Bejedi can’t be the only one applying defensive pressure.

I was glad to see some defensive adjustments in the 2nd half. We played really well today after getting down 22-5. The game was even the rest of the way (73-73).