Noles Outlast Texas Tech at Paradise Jam

Ta'Niya Latson

ST.THOMAS, Virgin Islands –  The Florida State women’s basketball team (6-1), led from start to finish on Thursday night, defeating Texas Tech 70-62, in the first game of the Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands.

The Seminoles handed the Lady Raiders the first loss of the season (6-1), tallying 15 steals while forcing 25 turnovers and scoring 24 points off fast breaks.

“They were resilient,” FSU head coach Brooke Wyckoff said. “Texas Tech is a great physical, pressing, and aggressive team. Our team answered the call every single time despite fatigue and any adversity.”

Ta’Niya Latson, who had 30 points, surpassed the 1,500 mark for her career becoming the 10th student-athlete in program history to meet the benchmark.  She now ranks sixth in school history with 1,528 career points.

As the top scorer in the nation at 27.3 points per game, Latson also secured her second double-double, tying a career-high in rebounds with 11. She also snatched five steals.

O’Mariah Gordon contributed 20 points, surpassing 1,000 career points (1,011). Gordon added two steals.

The Seminoles opened the game with a 9-0 run, including six straight points from Makayla Timpson.  Florida State finished the quarter with a 16-5 lead, holding Texas Tech to 20 percent from the floor.

In the second, Texas Tech had an answer, putting together a 13-4 run. Gordon stepped up and was 3-of-3 in a near four-minute stretch from three, helping the Noles shut out the Red Raiders in the final 2:30 seconds of the quarter.

Taking the 37-28 lead into the second half, the Seminoles put together a 6-0 stretch and took the 54-45 advantage to the final quarter.

Out of the break, Texas Tech answered right away with an 11-3 run, forcing the Noles to call timeout with 6:46 remaining, up 57-56.

Mariana Valenzula, who returned to the line for the first time since March 17, 2023, fought for an offensive board and gave the Seminoles the 60-57 edge on the put-back.  Timpson added a pair of free throws after drawing the foul off a Texas Tech turnover, extending the lead 62-57.

With 4:02 remaining, Sydney Bowles stepped in and took a charge on the defensive end.  After hitting both free throws, Bowles drew another foul and seal the win after two more shots at the line.  All four of her points came in the fourth quarter and at the foul line.

Timpson finished the game with nine points and seven rebounds and came up big down the stretch on defense, contributing three blocks, two coming in the fourth quarter.

The Seminoles will face Missouri State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Gonzaga on Saturday at 8 p.m.

More information on FSU women’s basketball can be found on Instagram (FSUWBB), X (FSUWBB) and Facebook (FSUWomensBasketball).

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