FSU women's basketball: Seminoles look to keep building momentum on win over UNC vs. Georgia Tech
Florida State women's basketball is coming off a defining win for first-year head coach Brooke Wyckoff.
The Seminoles defeated No. 13 North Carolina 78-71 on Thursday to pick up the first victory over a ranked opponent during the 2022-23 season.
FSU (13-2, 2-0 ACC) outscored the Tar Heels (9-3, 0-1) by 13 points in the second half to overcome a six-point halftime deficit.
The victory was the Seminoles' highest-ranked win since defeating second-ranked Louisville, 68-59, on Feb. 21, 2021, under then-interim head coach Wycoff.
For the players, it was validation of who they are.
"It just shows us our potential and it shows what kind of team we are," FSU graduate transfer Taylor O'Brien said. "We can't be taken lightly. I think it shows our teamwork, communication, all of the things we've been preaching this season, it just shows during the games, how it helps when we all play together.
"I think that also gives us a lot of fire. We are able to hang here. We're going to do some damage in the ACC. With all of our people healthy, everyone playing back to their full potential, we're going to be really, really good."
Big win for FSU women's basketball:Florida State women's basketball: Impressive second half sparks 78-71 win at No. 13 UNC
5-star impact:Florida State women's basketball: Why 5-star recruit Ta'Niya Latson can make early impact
New coach, new look:How Florida State women's basketball will look much different under new coach Brooke Wyckoff
The Seminoles will look to keep the ball rolling against Georgia Tech (9-4, 0-2) in another ACC road game at the McCamish Pavillion in Atlanta.
It will be the 54th matchup between the two teams, with FSU leading the series 28-25. The last victory on the road for the Seminoles against the Yellow Jackets came on March 3, 2019, a 64-55 win.
They are seeking their first 3-0 start to ACC play since the 2008-09 season when they started 5-0 vs. the conference.
The Seminoles and Yellow Jackets split the season series last season, with GT winning 68-64 (Jan. 13) in Atlanta and FSU winning 65-63 in OT (Feb. 24) in Tallahassee.
FSU enters Sunday as the sixth-best scoring team in the nation, averaging 87.2 points per game. That will be put to the test, as the Yellow Jackets come in 28th in the nation allowing 55.5 points per game.
"I expect a battle, just like it always is," Wyckoff said. "(Defense) is what they hang their hat on the last couple of years. Their success comes from their defense."
Freshman guard Ta'Niya Latson had 21 points along with six assists and eight rebounds in the victory over the Tar Heels. She had just five points on 1-of-6 shooting in the first half but turned things around with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the second.
The Miami native leads the ACC averaging 24.7 points per game.
"Ta'Niya has had several games where she has 'struggled' in the first half," Wyckoff said. "And then she ends up having a great second half. That isn't anything new for her. It's really a credit to who she is, her maturity level, her intelligence level.
"She ends up figuring it out and finds ways to do what she does well, score."
Erin Howard:'No one is talking about us,' says Florida State women's basketball forward
Game information
Who: Florida State (13-2, 2-0 ACC) vs. Georgia Tech (9-4, 0-2)
When/Where: Sunday, 2 p.m.; McCamish Pavilion, Atlanta
TV: ACC Network Xtra
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
No one covers the ‘Noles like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU women's basketball looks to keep building momentum on vs. Georgia Tech
