Back to work, Florida State fans. At least for most of you. We’ll do our best to keep you fresh on the latest in FSU athletics. The news and notes section will be updated throughout the day.
Lead Story
Standing in the way of the Florida State women’s first trip to the Final Four will be top-seeded South Carolina. The teams will meet in Stockton, California for the regional final of the NCAA Tournament, which begins at 9 p.m. EST on Monday and airs on ESPN.
Third-seeded FSU overcame a 17-point deficit on Saturday night to top No. 2 seed Oregon State, 66-53. Leticia Romero led all scorers with 18 points, but Ivey Slaughter also had a solid game. It is encouraging for FSU that it was able to beat a team as good as Oregon State despite a sub-par night from leading scorer Shakayla Thomas.
The Gamecocks advanced to the Elite Eight with a 100-58 victory over Quinnipiac. A’ja Wilson is one of the more dynamic players in the country and leads South Carolina, averaging better than 17 points per game. Allisha Gray, Alaina Coates and Kaela Davis all average close to 13. Coates averages just under 11 rebounds and leads the SEC in field goal percentage.
Each of Florida State’s three NCAA Tournament wins have come by double-digits, but the Seminoles have started slow in each of them as well. South Carolina had to rally to beat Arizona State, but won big over UNC-Asheville and Quinnipiac. The Gamecocks topped FSU 80-74 two years ago in the Seminoles’ last trip to the Elite Eight.
Between the Lines
FSU beach volleyball collected 4-1 wins over South Carolina and Stetson on Sunday. Jessica Burroughs tossed a 6-inning no-hitter as FSU softball completed the 3-game sweep of Virginia, 10-0. The FSU women’s tennis team defeated Pittsburgh 4-1 while the men fell to UCF by the same score.
On the Agenda
The FSU women’s basketball game is the only scheduled event for Monday.
News and Notes
Former FSU running back Dalvin Cook has signed an endorsement deal with Nike.
FSU baseball climbed two spots in the Baseball America Poll and one spot in the D1Baseball.com Poll. The Seminoles sit at No. 12 in both. FSU was also 12th in the Collegiate Baseball Poll, which is a 6-spot jump. In the NCBWA Poll, FSU moved up two spots to No. 10.
The ACC will name players of the week for various sports.
FSU baseball will retire former All-American outfielder J.D. Drew’s number during the April 15 contest against Clemson.
The Associated Press has named a pair of FSU women’s hoops players honorable mention All-Americans.
The FSU women fell to South Carolina in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Monday night, 71-64.
What You May Have Missed From The Daily Nole
By The Numbers: Impact of FSU Basketball Departures
The Daily Nole — March 26, 2017: FSU Softball Stays Undefeated in ACC Play
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
Jeremy Esbrandt/FSU athletics
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