Florida State (3-3) was defeated by Florida (5-1) in Gainesville by an 89-67 score.
Game Recap
The game started off tight as the two teams traded baskets early. Late in the quarter Florida ripped off a 12-2 run that
powered the Gators to a 23-16 lead going into the second quarter.
UF would stretch the lead to 37-22 after a Liv McGill jumper. However, FSU answered with a 9-0 run that was capped by a layup from Pania Davis. Sydney Bowles hit a tough jumper at the halftime buzzer but it was disallowed after the official video review because the ball was still in her hands when the buzzer sounded. Florida went to the locker room with a 41-34 lead.
FSU stayed relatively close early in the quarter but Florida hit the Noles with an 8-1 run to take a 56-41 lead. The Gators would score five of the last six points of the quarter to take a 62-45 lead into the final stanza.
FSU was never able to mount a run to get back into the game. In fact, it was UF who went on a 12-2 run midway through the quarter to take a commanding 87-64 lead on their way to the 89-67 victory.
Post Game
Pania Davis led the Seminoles with 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Sole Williams had 15 points and Allie Kubek chipped in 11.
Amaya Bonner left the game with an apparent ankle injury. There is no official update on her status.
Florida won in every phase of the game tonight. The Gators shot better, they defended better, they rebounded better but more than anything they feasted off of FSU’s turnovers. The Noles committed 25 turnovers which led to a whopping 38 points off turnovers for UF.
The turnovers are going to be an issue for Florida State all year. The only true point guard on the roster is Mari Gerton who didn’t play tonight. The problem is two-fold. FSU is using shooting guards at the point. This means that they are playing an unfamiliar position and aren’t able to provide the benefit that they would normally provide at their natural position. If Sydney Bowles and Sole Williams are tasked with bringing the ball up court (often against pressure) then they aren’t able to set their feet and fire from three-point range.
Defense is another issue. The Gators had 50 points in the paint. This wasn’t because they threw the ball down to a back to the basket post player. No, it was because they were able to get layup after layup on FSU’s defense. As you probably know, the Seminoles have seven new players. They aren’t used to playing together and it shows on defense. They aren’t connected yet defensively. UF was able to take full advantage tonight.
I’m not sure that the point guard issue gets fixed fully this year. It’s tough to learn that position on the fly in a league as tough as the ACC. The defense should improve a bit as they get used to playing with each other but they are probably never going to be a defensive first team.
There were some positives. Pania Davis is loaded with potential. The sky is really the limit for her. She showed impressive post moves as well as the ability to grab rebounds. FSU could generate good offense by letting Davis work against single coverage down low or draw double teams and kick it out for open threes.
The bottom line is that the Seminoles are not going to win many games when they shoot less than 30% from deep and commit 25 turnovers.
This is a talented roster but with all the new faces they need time to learn to play together. The problem is that I’m not sure that they will get that time. The schedule is unforgiving. The Noles face Illinois, Missouri State, (probably) #8 Oklahoma and Georgia in their next four games which will finish the non-conference slate. Those four teams boast a combined record of 19-2.
On the bright side, if FSU can snag a couple of those games it will really boost the resume. We will see if they can take advantage of the opportunity.
Next Game
Florida State will host Illinois in Tallahassee on Sunday. The game will tip at 2pm and will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.
