Alabama
Florida State University
Essence Cody’s Career Day Drives No. 8 Seed Alabama Past No. 9 Seed Florida State, 82-74, in NCAA Tournament Opener
3/22/2024 9:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament to take on top-seeded Texas
AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 8-seeded Alabama women's basketball team advanced past No. 9 seed Florida State, 82-74, on Friday afternoon in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. With the victory, the Crimson Tide advances to play top-seeded Texas Sunday in the round of 32.
Essence Cody led The Crimson Tide (24-9) in her tournament debut with a career-high in points (20) and rebounds (14), which earned her third double-double of the season. Three other Alabama players contributed double figures, including Karly Weathers (18), Aaliyah Nye (18) and Loyal McQueen (13).
The Tide shot 31-61 (50.8 percent) from the field, 7-14 (50.0 percent) from deep and 13-17 (76.5 percent) from the free throw line. This is the fifth time during the 2023-24 season that Alabama has shot over 50 percent from the field.
The Seminoles (23-11) were led by Ti'Niya Latson's 25 points and five assists, while Makayla Timpson added 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Postgame Comments
"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. Florida State had an incredible year, and they're a great team. I'm just so proud of our kids today and their resilience. We fought through some foul trouble, and we just had so many of our players step up today, and I'm just incredibly proud. I think there's nothing better this time of year, I've learned through the years, than watching your team celebrate, and I'm just incredibly proud, and we're looking forward to the opportunity. We'll enjoy this until midnight, and like all season, we'll hit the reset button and prepare and try to go out and execute the game plan against a great Texas team."
Game Stats
- UA earned its 18th NCAA Tournament win and first since 2021, when it defeated North Carolina, 80-71, in the First Round
- Alabama shot 5-8 from range in the second quarter, with five different players converting on looks
- Essence Cody earned her third double-double of the season, scoring 20 points and hauling in 14 rebounds, setting career highs in both categories
- Cody also made her presence known on the defensive end, blocking four shots
- The Crimson Tide's (24-9) 8-0 run across three minutes in the third quarter switched the momentum and propelled Alabama to its first Second Round since 2021
- During the second quarter, UA shot 62.5 percent from deep with five different players recording a three
How It Happened
- Florida State jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead, aided by four turnovers by the Crimson Tide
- Alabama responded by outscoring the Seminoles, 11-10, over the final six minutes of`x the opening frame
- The offenses took over in the second quarter, with the two teams combining to score 46 points
- The Tide outscored FSU, 25-21 in the second quarter to tie the game at 40 at the break
- Both teams went on 6-0 runs in the first four minutes of the third quarter, keeping the game tied at 46
- UA responded with a 12-5 run to close the third frame, stretching its lead to as much as 13 points
- FSU methodically clawed back, trimming the Alabama lead to just two points with 2:19 to play
- With 1:23 to play, Aaliyah Nye connected on a corner three-pointer out of a timeout, extending the Alabama lead back to five
- The Tide finished the game by connecting on 5-6 free throw attempts to ice the contest
Next Up
- Alabama advances to the Second Round of the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, where it will battle top-seeded Texas on Sunday, March 24
- Times and television information will be released at a later time
For all the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaWBB on X, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on X and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
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