FSU Women Stifle Duke to Open ACC Tournament, 51-41

Defense was the story for sixth-seeded Florida State women’s hoops on Thursday night in Greensboro as the Seminoles started the ACC Tournament with a 51-41 win over No. 11 seed Duke.

FSU (23-7) held the Blue Devils to less than 30 percent shooting from the field and 2-for-12 from deep. Duke (15-15) couldn’t even get shots to fall when it wasn’t defended as it finished just 5-for-11 from the foul line.

FSU never trailed in the contest, but held just a slim 23-19 lead at the half. The Seminoles opened the second half on a 7-2 run and from there, the contest never got closer than four.

Kiah Gillespie led the Seminoles with 15 points and 12 rebounds while Nausia Woolfolk narrowly missed a double-double of her own, adding 10 points and nine rebounds. FSU held a healthy 42-28 edge on the glass.

Duke was led by Haley Gorecki’s game-high 17 points. Gorecki was just 6-for-18 and made both 3-pointers for the Blue Devils. Leaonna Odum added 13 points and a team-high six rebounds in the loss.

FSU will play again on Friday night in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals against third-seeded NC State. FSU won the only meeting between the teams this season in Tallahassee on Feb. 7 by a 75-70 score.

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