Lopsided 3rd quarter sees FSU women's basketball fall to Alabama in NCAA Tournament first round
No. 9 Florida State women's basketball's winless streak in the NCAA Tournament continued Friday,
The Seminoles dropped their fourth straight first-round game, this time to No. 8 Alabama, 82-74 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
The game was tied at halftime before Alabama went on a 8-0 scoring run and did not look back.
The third frame decided the game as the Crimson Tide outscored the Seminoles, 23-11.
FSU made things close in the fourth quarter, cutting the Crimson Tide lead down to two points.
But it couldn't finish off the comeback.
Despite Alabama being without starting guard Jessica Timmons, who suffered an ankle injury in the SEC Tournament, it had four players into scoring figures.
The effort was led by forward Essence Cody, who finished with a team-high 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Karly Weathers, who came off the bench to start in place of Timmons, finished with a team second-best 18 points.
The Crimson Tide dominated on the boards, out-rebounding FSU 47-33, and had 19 second-chance points.
In her first NCAA Tournament game, FSU sophomore guard Ta'Niya Latson finished with a team-best 25 points.
Forward Makayla Timpson followed with 23 points and 11 rebounds, her 18th double-double of the season.
Sara Bejedi also broke into double-scoring figures with 11 points.
FSU shot 40% (30-of-75) from the field and just 38% (5-of-13) from 3-point range. The Seminoles did win the turnover battle, coughing up the ball 12 times to Alabama's 20.
Alabama advances to face No. 1 Texas on Sunday.
The Seminoles finish their season at 23-11 overall and are now 24-22 in the NCAA Tournament. While FSU has made the NCAA Tournament for 11 straight seasons, it hasn't won a game since 2019.
Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on X @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU women's basketball season ends in March Madness loss to Alabama
