PITTSBURGH, PA. (AP) – A.J. Alix scored 25 points to lead No. 10 Florida State to a 66-59 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday.
After a back-and-forth game that featured 14 lead changes, the Seminoles pulled ahead with an 8-0 run over 2:07 late in the fourth quarter to end Pitt’s upset bid.
It was Alix that started the run with a 3-pointer to give Florida State a 53-49 lead with 4:27 to play. Alix, who is second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in assists per game, instead did most of the scoring herself, finishing 8 for 13 from the floor and 7 for 9 from 3-point range.
Her 25 points were one off her career and the highest total she’s scored in ACC play. Alix was a graduate transfer from TCU before this season. She also had four assists.
Forward Shakayla Thomas had 19 points while Imani Wright scored 14 points, but was an uncharacteristic 2 of 12 from 3-point range. Wright’s pair of threes was good enough to give her the Florida State single-season record with 79.
Alayna Gribble scored 13 points to lead the Panthers (10-14, 2-9 ACC) while Yacine Diop recorded 12 points and eight rebounds. Diop has scored in double digits in nine of Pitt’s last 10 games.
Florida State (19-4, 7-3) improved to 5-0 all-time against Pitt, despite the Panthers leading at the end of each of the first three quarters.
POST-GAME NOTES (COMPILED BY FSU SPORTS INFORMATION)
• Imani Wright’s record-breaking 79th 3-point field goal came at a crucial time, giving FSU a 58-49 lead with 2:17 remaining in the game.
• Wright passes Seminole legend Courtney Ward’s 78 3-point field goals in the 2010-11 season. FSU still has six more regular-season games left before starting the ACC Tournament.
• FSU out-scored the Panthers 26-18 in the fourth quarter to break away in the game. Pitt led FSU 41-40 thru three quarters.
• Shakayla Thomas’ 19 points was her 97th double-figure scoring game of her career.
• AJ Alix (25) and Shakayla Thomas (19) combined to score 44 of FSU’s 66 points. Imani Wright delivered 14 points, with all 14 coming in the second half.
• Alix tied her career high with six rebounds.
• Pittsburgh is the only ACC opponent FSU has not lost to. Pittsburgh joined the conference alongside Syracuse in the 2013-14 academic year.
• FSU is 5-1 in its last six games played on Super Bowl Sunday.
• Florida State’s two McDonald’s All-Americans in the upcoming 2018 signing class have come out in full support. Forward Valencia Myers (Solon, Ohio) was in attendance for Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh. Fellow McDonald’s All-American Izabela Nicoletti (Raleigh, N.C., Brazil native) came to FSU’s 81-79 OT win at Wake Forest on Jan. 18.
