FSU Women Falls to Irish in ACC Semis

After a 31-point loss at home during the regular season, Florida State’s women’s team stood toe-to-toe with second-seeded Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Saturday in Greensboro, but a big fourth quarter propelled the Fighting Irish to the ACC Championship, 90-80.

Third-seeded FSU (25-6) led 43-42 at the half and 56-48 in the third quarter. Notre Dame capped the quarter on a 14-4 run which culminated with a triple by Marina Mabrey as the horn sounded. The Fighting Irish (29-2) took a 62-60 advantage in the final quarter and never trailed again, leading by as many as 12 in the final quarter.

Mabrey scored a game-high 27 points in the victory. Arike Ogunbowale chipped in with 20 points and five assists. Jessica Shepard scored 17 points for Notre Dame and grabbed 12 rebounds. Jackie Young and Kathryn Westbeld finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Shakayla Thomas led the Seminoles with 24 points. Nicole Ekhomu scored 18 points in the loss and Imani Wright added 13.

FSU will wait until Monday night to learn its NCAA Tournament fate while the Fighting Irish aim for a fifth straight ACC title against Louisville on Sunday. The top-seeded Cardinals beat N.C. State in the first semifinal on Saturday, 64-59.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson