In case, you haven’t noticed, Florida State women’s basketball is rolling.
After notching back-to-back wins over ranked teams, the Seminoles began ACC play on the right foot Sunday with a 81-64 road win at Clemson. For the season, FSU is 9-0 and hasn’t played a game decided by fewer than eight points.
The hot start led us to wonder where Sue Semrau’s team’s early-season performance ranked all-time when it comes to consecutive wins to open a season. Here’s a look at FSU’s five best starts, including the current one:
2004-05
Streak: 12 wins
Ended: Dec. 29 vs. Montana in Montana Invitational
Key Players: Roneeka Hodges, G (19.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG); Alicia Gladden, G (12.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 52% FG); Ganiyat Adeduntan, G (11.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG)
Overview: Florida State started the 2004-05 season with 12 straight wins, which included victories over Florida and Louisville. The closest game for FSU during that stretch was a 72-70 victory over Texas-Arlington. The Seminoles would finish the season with a record of 24-8 after falling to Connecticut in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
2009-10
Streak: 10 wins
Ended: Dec. 20 vs. DePaul in Duel in the Desert
Key Players: Jacinta Monroe, F/C (13.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.2 BPG); Courtney Ward, G (10.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 81% FT)
Overview: FSU started the 2009-10 season with 10 wins in a row before losing to DePaul in Las Vegas. What the Seminoles would go on to do was set a then school-record for wins with 29 and reach the Elite Eight for the first time. FSU fell to eventual national champion Connecticut in that round.
2017-18
Streak: 10 wins
Ended: Dec. 17 at Texas
Key Players: Shakayla Thomas, F (17.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 52% FG); Imani Wright, G (16.3 PPG); A.J. Alix, G (11.4 PPG, 6.3 APG, 2.2 SPG)
Overview: FSU collected wins over Florida, Iowa and Arizona State en route to a 10-0 start during the 2017-18 season. The Seminoles would rack up 26 wins before falling in an unlikely upset against Buffalo in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Among the highlights that season was a road upset of No. 2 Louisville.
2019-20
Streak: 9 wins
Ended: Still active
Key Players: Kiah Gillespie, F (16.2 PPG, 9.7 RPG); Nausia Woolfolk, G (14.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.9 SPG); Nicki Ekhomu, G (14.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, 80% FT)
Overview: Florida State is off to a 9-0 start this season and needs three wins to tie the school record for most victories to start the season. FSU has already defeated LSU, Florida and ranked Texas A&M and Michigan State teams. FSU is currently No. 8 in the AP Poll and one of just three undefeated teams in the ACC.
2012-13
Streak: 7 wins
Ended: Dec. 8 at Nebraska
Key Players: Leonor Rodriguez , G (14.9 PPG, 2 SPG); Alexa Deluzio, G (13.8 PPG, 37% 3PT): Natasha Howard, F (12.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 49% FG)
Overview: Florida State started the 2012-13 season 7-0 with wins over Florida, Vanderbilt and Iowa. The first loss for FSU came on the road at Nebraska by one point. Natasha Howard had a chance to win the game, but missed a pair of free throws with 1.3 seconds left on the clock. The Seminoles would go on to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Baylor.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.
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