The opponent for the second round of the NCAA Tournament was different for Florida State, but the game was eerily similar to the first round. In Tallahassee for the final time this season, No. 3 seed FSU clinched a third straight Sweet 16 appearance with a 77-55 win over sixth-seeded Missouri on Sunday.
Much like in Friday night’s win over Western Illinois, the Seminoles (27-6) started slow and again trailed after the first quarter. FSU was able to regain the lead by halftime, 32-27 and turned the burners on to start the third quarter.
Each of the first five second half possessions resulted in a turnover for Missouri (22-11). The Seminoles opened the half with eight straight points and on a 20-6 FSU run. Florida State led 56-37 after three quarters and scored the first 10 points in the fourth to assure there would be no comeback.
Shakayla Thomas led FSU with 20 points and 11 rebounds. In her final game in Tallahassee, senior Brittany Brown added 16 points, eight assists and four steals. Guards Leticia Romero and Imani Wright each added 14 points.
FSU dominated the game statistically. The Seminoles shot 7-for-14 from beyond the 3-point line while Missouri was just 5 of 20. FSU forced 23 turnovers while giving it away 17 times and also won the battle on the glass, 35-29.
Sophie Cunningham scored 17 points to lead the Tigers with Cierra Porter adding 12. Sierra Michaelis finished with 10 points and tied Porter with a team-high six rebounds.
FSU will now head to Stockton, California where it will face either second-seeded Oregon State or No. 7 seed Creighton in the Sweet 16. The Seminoles were eliminated by Baylor in that round last season.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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