Game Recap

The game between Florida State and Georgia Tech started off closely contested, with both teams showing strong determination. However, as the first quarter progressed, Florida State managed to gain an early advantage with an 8-2 run that was capped by a three-pointer from Emma Risch. This helped the Seminoles take a 19-14 lead. La’Nya Foster quickly responded with a three for Georgia Tech, and the quarter ended with FSU holding a narrow 21-19 lead.

In the second quarter, Georgia Tech made a strong push, scoring ten of the first twelve points to take a 29-23 lead. Amaya Bonner broke the streak with a layup, but later in the quarter, Georgia Tech went on a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 44-31. Florida State managed to score the final four points of the quarter, reducing the deficit to 44-35 at halftime.

Midway through the third quarter, Pania Davis scored a layup to cut the lead to 45-41. However, Georgia Tech responded with an 8-3 mini-run to take a 57-48 lead. The Jackets carried a 60-52 advantage into the final quarter.

Sole Williams began the fourth quarter with five straight points, cutting the lead to 60-57. Unfortunately, Florida State couldn’t close the gap further. Georgia Tech then launched a 12-0 run to take a commanding 74-59 lead. From there, they easily secured an 80-69 victory.

Post Game Highlights

Sole Williams led the Seminoles with 18 points and six rebounds. Pania Davis contributed 15 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Amaya Bonner added 14 points and four assists.

Allie Kubek missed the game due to an injury, but it’s reported that her condition is not serious, and she is expected to return soon.

This game was a winnable opportunity for Florida State. According to ESPN analytics, the Seminoles had a 74% chance of winning. For 80% of the game, Florida State played well enough to secure the victory. However, they lost focus for the remaining 20%, which proved costly. Georgia Tech capitalized on two key runs—first a 10-0 run in the second quarter and later a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter—that ultimately decided the outcome.

Despite some improvements in areas like half-court defense, Florida State continues to struggle with transition defense. Poor transition defense allows opponents to score easy baskets, which has been a recurring issue for the team. Since Florida State rarely gets easy baskets themselves, this weakness has cost them several games.

A Special Mention: Brianna Turnage

While I typically avoid discussing opposing players, it’s worth noting Brianna Turnage, a former friend who played a significant role in this game. Turnage only scored seven points and made one shot from the field, but she dominated the game in other ways. She recorded 18 rebounds and was visibly involved in every play. Despite her lack of shooting ability, she was treated more like an offensive player than a defensive presence. Florida State allowed her to be an initiator or even a facilitator, which was a mistake. Her ability to rebound and control the tempo of the game was evident, yet the Seminoles didn’t adjust their approach accordingly.

Amaya Bonner’s Performance

Amaya Bonner once again impressed as a point guard. She had zero turnovers in the game and played more minutes at the point than usual. While this is a positive sign, it’s clear that Bonner needs to be consistently at the point guard position. Her skills in that role are too valuable to ignore, especially when she can maintain such a high level of efficiency.

Shooting and Rebounding

Florida State struggled offensively, shooting only 36% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc. They compensated for this by out-rebounding Georgia Tech (52-35), but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Georgia Tech, while not necessarily more talented on paper, proved to be the tougher team, led by Turnage’s relentless effort. That physicality and determination were the deciding factors in the game.

Next Game

Florida State will face Clemson next Sunday at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network. The Seminoles will look to bounce back and improve their performance in the coming match.