Alabama Outlasts Florida State in March Madness Opening Round

The No. 8-seeded Alabama women’s basketball team advanced past No. 9 seed Florida State in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament by a final score of 82-to-74.  The tightly played match saw the lead change eight times before the Tide pulled away in the final period. 

Freshman Essence Cody led the Tide with a career-high in 20 points and 14 rebounds, her third double-double of the season. Teammates Karly Weathers (18), Aaliyah Nye (18) and Loyal McQueen (13) also scored in double digits. 

The Seminoles were led by Ti’Niya Latson’s with 25 points and five assists, and Makayla Timpson’s double-double, 23 points and 11 rebounds. 

“I’m really happy for our team. Today’s game was a game of runs, and I thought we were good on being able to weather their runs and make sure that ours were just a couple of plays longer,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. “Florida State had an incredible year, and they’re a great team. I’m just so proud of our kids today and their resilience.” 

Florida State jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead.  Alabama responded by outscoring the Seminoles, 11-10, over the final six minutes of the opening frame.   

Both team’s offenses took over in the second quarter, with the two teams combining to score 46 points.  Alabama outscored Florida State 25-to-21 in the second quarter to tie the game at 40 as the teams headed to the locker rooms. 

The teams went back and forth runs in the first four minutes of the third quarter to keep the game tied at 46.  Alabama stepped UA responded with a 12-5 run to close the third quarter, stretching its lead to as much as 13 points in the final frame. 

Florida State clawed back, coming with two points with 2:19 to play.  With 1:23 to play, Alabama’s Aaliyah Nye connected on a three-pointer, extending their lead to five points.  Alabama  finished the game by connecting on 5-6 free throw attempts to ice the contest