ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles, the Florida State women’s basketball team secured a decisive 73-51 victory over SMU on Thursday night at Moody Coliseum. The win improved the Seminoles to 7-13 on the season, while the Mustangs fell to 8-12.

The contest was never a display of offensive artistry, but Florida State used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away for good. Leading 30-24 at halftime, the Seminoles erupted for 24 points in the third period while holding SMU to just 13, turning a tight game into a comfortable 54-37 advantage heading into the final frame. The Mustangs, plagued by poor shooting throughout, could not mount a comeback in the fourth quarter.

The most important part of the game was Florida State’s overwhelming performance from beyond the three-point arc, which starkly contrasted with SMU’s inefficiency and ultimately decided the contest. While both teams struggled with overall field goal percentages, the Seminoles found a critical edge by connecting on 12 of 30 attempts from long distance. Conversely, SMU suffered through a frigid 3-for-20 performance from three-point range. This 27-point disparity from the perimeter was the single largest statistical gap and proved insurmountable for the home team.

Jasmine Shavers led all scorers with 22 points for Florida State, capitalizing on the spacing provided by her team’s outside shooting. Solè Williams added 12 points and a game-high six assists. Inside, Pania Davis provided a strong presence with 13 points and a game-best 14 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, helping Florida State to a 14-5 advantage in second-chance opportunities.

SMU was led by Sahnya Jah with 14 points and Anaya Brown, who contributed 10 points and four blocked shots. Zahra King finished with 11 points for the Mustangs. Despite forcing 19 Florida State turnovers and registering 15 steals, SMU’s own offensive woes were too profound. The Mustangs shot just 33.9% from the field overall and a dismal 47.1% from the free-throw line.

Defensively, both teams were active. SMU blocked seven shots and recorded 15 steals, while Florida State managed five blocks and six steals. The Seminoles, however, controlled the boards with a 49-35 rebounding margin, which limited SMU’s possessions and fueled their own transition game.

The game began inauspiciously for both sides, with the first quarter featuring a combined 12 turnovers and several missed shots. Florida State held a narrow 16-12 lead after one period and extended it slightly to a six-point margin by halftime. The third-quarter explosion, fueled by timely three-pointers and sustained defensive stops, allowed the Seminoles to finally create separation and cruise to the finish line.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Florida State entered the game with a 71.50 percent probability to win, a projection borne out by their performance on the court. The Seminoles next host Georgia Tech on Sunday. SMU will look to rebound at home against Miami on Sunday.