Road Report: High-scoring Florida State is too much for Missouri State

Florida State continued its winning streak at the Paradise Jam on Friday, defeating Missouri State in the Virgin Islands 97-66.

The Seminoles, who were averaging 97 points entering the tournament’s second day, quickly jumped out to a double-digit lead and never looked back.

The visibly longer, deeper and faster member of the Atlantic Coast Conference forced the Lady Bears into 17 turnovers and scored 24 points.

Florida State made 14 of 30 3-pointers and was paced by guard Ta’Niya Latson (21 points), the leading scorer in NCAA Division I, and Makayla Timpson with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

The Seminoles (7-1) led by double digits most of the night, but the Lady Bears ended the first half with a 13-5 run and trailed 38-31 at halftime.

Missouri State would come no closer. Florida State opened the third quarter with a 10-0 run and continued to extend its lead in the second half.

For the second time in as many nights, Missouri State won the rebounding margin (41-39) against a bigger team. Forward and Mizzou transfer Sarah Linthacum scored a team-high 11 points and led three players in double figures.

Poplar Bluff native and Missouri State guard Kiley Bess had a balanced game in a loss, totaling nine points (3 for 4 from the field), eight rebounds and four assists.

Florida State, which has reached the NCAA Tournament in 18 consecutive seasons, had 11 steals and scored 22 points on fast breaks.

“It’s what they do. They move people around, they pressure, they have length, they have size, athleticism, and it clearly bothered us,” Missouri State head coach Beth Cunningham told the Bears Radio Network. “I thought we had moments tonight where I thought we were figuring it out, but against good teams like that you don’t have any room for error when you give them so many opportunities.”

BOX score

What’s next?

The Lady Bears will face Texas Tech (6-1) on the third and final day of the Paradise Jam on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Tech was ranked No. 10 in the preseason Big 12 poll.

The Red Raiders are led by guard Jasmine Shavers, who averages 13.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Florida State defeated Texas Tech 70-62 on Saturday.