FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida State women’s basketball team (4-4) defeated Missouri State (5-2) on Friday to open the GEICO Coconut Hoops 85-75 at the Alico Arena.
 
All 10 Seminoles contributed points with four in double figures, led by Sole Williams who posted 21. It was her second 20-point game this season. Sydney Bowles added 14 points, while Allie Kubek and Jasmine Shavers each had 10.
 
Defensively, all 10 players secured at least one rebound as Tatum Greene and Pania Davis each led with five. Davis had two of FSU’s four blocks, while six different players registered a steal.
 
The Seminoles jumped out to an 11-5 advantage at the first media timeout.  Out of the break, the Seminoles used a 7-0 stretch to create distance, taking the 22-10 lead.
 
In the second, Mari Gerton added four points and a steal to start the frame, but Missouri State went on a 9-0 run, forcing the Noles to call timeout with 4:37 left up 30-25.  FSU settled back into its offense down the stretch, but the Lady Bears cut the lead to five, 37-32.  

Amaya Bonner sank a three with 21-seconds remaining, however Missouri State answered with a layup with six seconds to go.  With one last possession of the half, Gerton quickly found Greene for the long-range three at the buzzer to take the 43-34 advantage into the locker room.

 

Florida State stretched the lead to 10 in the third after back-to-back three pointers from Williams and Greene. Missouri State answered, but FSU held a five-point lead heading into the fourth, 60-55.

 

The Lady Bears fought back, tying the four times in the fourth. Up one, 74-73, the Seminoles worked the perimeter with Bonner finding Williams for the three-pointer to go ahead 77-73 with 1:43 remaining.  On the next offensive possession, Avery Treadwell crashed the boards for the put-back, to go up 79-73. Treadwell also hustled on the defensive end, securing the rebound. Williams would be put on the line after a foul, stretching the lead to 81-73.

 

FSU went on to defeat Missouri State, 85-75.

 

The Seminoles will face the winner of No.9/8 Oklahoma and Coppin State on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

 

For more updates on FSU women’s basketball, follow the team on Instagram (FSUWBB), X (FSUWBB) and Facebook (FSUWomensBasketball).