FSU women rout N.C. State in basketball

TALLAHASSEE — It was a fitting outcome for a senior farewell.

Following an emotional pregame ceremony to honor seniors Maegan Conwright and Lauren Coleman, Florida State did everything necessary to make sure they went out winners, while the team made history at the same time.

The No. 9 Seminoles dominated on the glass and shot 38.8 percent in a 72-52 victory over N.C. State on Thursday night at the Tucker Center. The fourth-best rebounding team in the nation, FSU had a 54-35 rebounding edge.

FSU finished the regular season 14-0 at home, the first time the Seminoles (26-3, 13-2 ACC) have gone undefeated at home. FSU also tied the school record of 26 regular-season wins set in the 2009-10 season, and the 13 conference wins are a school record. "What a feat for these young women, undefeated at home," coach Sue Semrau said. "I think I've talked about that since day one of being here. So to have that honor is huge and it's very, very special."

FSU will be the No. 2 seed at the ACC tournament, which begins next week. It is the best seed in school history.

N.C. State (16-12, 7-8) entered having won four of its last five games, most recently defeating Miami and No. 10 Duke. But outside of a 14-3 run midway through the second half, the game was all FSU.

FSU led 39-27, shooting 45 percent. Ultimately, poor shooting was the Wolfpack's biggest obstacle. N.C. State shot 27.9 percent, and was 7-of-30 on 3-pointers. FSU outscored the Wolfpack 32-16 in the paint and 22-7 in second-chance points. FSU also scored 20 points off 15 turnovers. It committed 20 turnovers, something Semrau attributed to over-aggressiveness and said will be corrected.

But Thursday night was all about a celebration.

"There was a lot going on, but as our record shows, we know how to stay focused," Conwright said. "At the end of the day it would just (be awful) to lose your last game at home, senior night, so that was one of the main focuses. We've still got to get this win and stay focused."

Contact Antonya English at aenglish@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Gators.