GREENSBORO, N.C. — Fourth-seeded Florida State Women’s Basketball took down 13th-seeded Wake Forest, 76-47, in the quarterfinals of the ACC Women’s Tournament on Friday. The win in Greensboro, North Carolina, is the Seminoles’ third over the Demon Deacons this season. It also marks the second time in the last three years and the sixth time overall that FSU has clinched a spot in the ACC Tournament Semifinals.
“Just proud of the way our team came out,” FSU head coach Sue Semrau said. “I thought the tempo really favored us. I thought our guards did a good job of pushing tempo. Wake Forest made a heck of a run and they’re a really good basketball team.”
Florida State was a consistent force throughout the entire contest, beginning the afternoon on a 7-0 run and closing out the game with an 8-0 run. The Seminoles shot 52 percent from the field for the game, while holding Wake Forest to just 35 percent shooting. FSU drained a season-best 58.8 percent (10-of-17) of its 3-point field goals.
FSU established a double-digit lead after just 7:13 minutes of play that would not be challenged for the remainder of the game, entering the second half with a 42-25 lead. They outscored Wake Forest 34-22 after the break to kick off their tournament run in explosive fashion.
The triumph was highlighted by four Seminoles in sophomore guard Kourtney Weber (15), senior guard Nausia Woolfolk (15), senior guard Nicki Ekhomu (12) and senior forward Kiah Gillespie (10) scoring in double figures, and freshman guard Sammie Puisis (8) and sophomore guard Morgan Jones (6) following close behind in the offensive burst. Freshman River Baldwin also chipped in with six.
“Honestly, I wanted to go out there and do what the team needed me to do,” Weber said. “Today was in more scoring and driving and tomorrow it could be rebounding. I want to go out and play comfortable and not force anything.”
Woolfolk was named the Player of the Game, with three steals to go along with her 15 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Ekhomu was 4-for-8 from the floor with three rebounds and six assists. Gillespie also shot 4-for-8, adding two boards. All three seniors were able to get more rest in the second half during the rout.
The Seminole freshmen made solid contributions in their first-ever ACC Tournament game. Puisis recorded one rebound and three assists to go along with her eight points, while Baldwin tacked on six on 3-for-4 shooting with seven boards and three assists. Freshman forward London Clarkson added three rebounds.
Weber sunk a season-high three three-pointers. The sophomore tied Woolfolk’s 15-point mark for the team leader in scoring on 6-of-8 shooting while contributing four assists and a rebound.
The Seminoles’ commanding presence inside was the difference-maker in the matchup. FSU out-rebounded the Demon Deacons 32-22 and outscored them 36-26 in the paint. Jones (team-high seven) and Myers (6) led the team on the glass.
Wake Forest made nearly three times as many trips to the foul line, converting 12-of-14 compared to FSU’s 4-of-5.
With Friday’s victory, Florida State advances to the ACC Women’s Tournament Semifinals. The Noles will face No.1 Louisville on Saturday afternoon in Greensboro. Fans can watch the matchup on ESPNU at noon.
