Florida State Upsets Notre Dame in Thrilling 86-81 Victory

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A stunning performance from Ta’Niya Latson and Makayla Timpson propelled No. 24 Florida State to an 86-81 upset victory over No. 3 Notre Dame on Thursday night. The win marked the Seminoles’ second triumph over the Fighting Irish in their last 15 encounters and their first-ever victory in South Bend.

Latson led the Seminoles (23-6, 13-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) with 23 points while dishing out nine assists, while Timpson added 22 points and secured 17 rebounds. Florida State extends its winning streak to four games, demonstrating resilience after a shaky start in the first quarter.

On the other side, Notre Dame (24-4, 15-2) saw Sonia Citron score 21 points. Liatu King and Hannah Hidalgo contributed 17 and 16 points, respectively, but struggled with efficiency. Hidalgo finished just 4-of-17 from the field.

The game began with the Fighting Irish showcasing their strength, jumping to a 22-11 lead early on, fueled by a three-pointer from King. Notre Dame led 23-14 after the first quarter, but Florida State rallied with a 19-3 run that flipped the game, pushing the Seminoles ahead 33-32 by the second quarter’s end. Florida State entered halftime with a narrow 44-40 lead.

Florida State maintained its momentum after the break, ending the third quarter with a 67-57 advantage. Despite Notre Dame narrowing the gap to just one point early in the fourth at 67-66, the Seminoles quickly regained control, ultimately sealing the win by fending off the Fighting Irish’s late charges.

“It was a huge team effort tonight. We showed our determination and resilience,” said Florida State coach. “This win can make a big difference in our postseason positioning.”

As the ACC standings tighten, Notre Dame’s second consecutive defeat raises concerns about their seeding heading into the NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Irish are now tied with North Carolina State at the top of the league, with the possibility that shared success could impact their No. 1 seed aspirations, given NC State’s previous victory over them.

A key moment in the game came from O’Mariah Gordon, who intercepted a Notre Dame inbounds pass and scored on a layup, giving Florida State a 58-53 lead in the third quarter. This defensive play translated into crucial momentum for the Seminoles as they continued to build their advantage.

The Seminoles have shifted their fortunes by drastically improving their three-point shooting. After struggling early, Florida State responded with a hot streak, hitting 6-of-8 from beyond the arc in the second quarter alone.

The regular season concludes for both teams on Sunday, with Florida State set to host No. 16 Duke while Notre Dame will welcome No. 25 Louisville to South Bend for a critical matchup.