The Florida State women's basketball team began its 2026-2027 season at the Donald L. Tucker Center on Monday against Merrimack in hopes of righting some wrongs from the previous season.
They did in a big way by dominating the Warriors 81-51.
“It’s still early and we’re working on some things as well but we had great defense and spurts,” FSU coach Brooke Wyckoff said. “That spurred our offense and that’s what I want our team to just be so proud of.”
The Seminoles started with the full-court press against the Warriors but were struggling to find the bottom of the net, especially from beyond the arc as they could only muster one made shot on nine attempts. The Seminoles looked a lot like they did last year, which was a sour sight for fans. Florida State was only up by one as the first quarter ended but that was as close as the Warriors would get.
The Seminoles began to enforce their will on the defensive end and would end the first half with nine steals and two blocks. The offense came alive as well and the 20-2 run for the last eight minutes of the half effectively sealed the game. FSU also held the Warriors to just four points in the second quarter.
With the Seminoles up 38-19 at the half, they were not done and would go on another run during the last five minutes of the third quarter. This time it was a 22-2 run. The defensive intensity continued with plenty of steals and turnovers and at this point in the game, the Warriors were simply overmatched by a swarming Seminoles defense.
Solé Williams did not do much in the first half with only two points but the talented guard started to heat up in more ways than one in the third quarter as she poured in nine points, four rebounds and one assist.
“I was kind of quiet in the first half,” Williams said. “I just knew I’ve got to continue to show up for my team and once I show up for my team, it’ll just eventually get better for me and that’s what happened.”
Freshman Morgan Stewart led all scorers with 13 points while adding three rebounds and three assists. The emergence of Stewart in the first game will be an interesting development going forward as the talented guard proved she can score when her team needs her.
“It felt good,” Stewart said. “I got my jitters out after I was in for a second so it was good, but it was my teammates that helped me and gave me energy on the defensive end and for me, it starts on defense and then goes to offense.”
Florida State’s defensive intensity was on full display as well and ended the night with 18 steals.
Up next
The Seminoles play host to North Florida on Thursday at 11 a.m. for Education Day at the Tucker Center.
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