Florida State Seminoles at Florida Gators

No. 6 Florida State falls to Florida, loses Leticia Romero to injury

Ronnie Williams scored 21 points, Simone Westbrook added 14, and the Gators upset the sixth-ranked Seminoles 82-72 on Monday.

Florida (1-1) overcame a 15-point deficit to beat FSU (0-1) for just the fourth time in the past 13 tries.

This one came in the Seminoles' opener to a season filled with high expectations. Florida State, with four returning starters from an Elite Eight team, moved up one spot to No. 6 in the latest AP women's basketball poll Monday. It's the highest ranking in program history.

"We're learning how to play with a target on our back," FSU coach Sue Semrau said. "We didn't do a very good job today. I think our leadership will step up. We're not where we need to be yet."

Adding to the Seminoles' woes: dynamic guard Leticia Romero injured her left ankle with a 1:11 remaining and had to be helped to the locker room. Semrau called it a high-ankle sprain.

Eleanna Christinaki chipped in 13 points for Florida, which used seven 3-pointers to help offset 27 turnovers and a minus-seven rebounding differential.

Williams was 9-of-16 shooting and finished with 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. She scored 15 points in the second half to help Florida rally from a double-digit deficit.

Adut Bulgak led the Seminoles with 20 points and 14 boards. Romero had 16 points.

Semrau said the tough road test to open the season was "exactly what we needed."

"We certainly didn't want to start off with competition that wasn't really formidable," she added. "I think Florida came out and they were extremely formidable. They were tough, and they were hard-nosed, and they had something to prove. It was a great crowd, and I'm really glad we had this one."

The Gators trailed 26-11 in the second quarter, and Williams headed to the bench a short time later with her third foul.

The Gators shot 58 percent in the second half.

"The atmosphere was great. I felt like we were prepared to get out there. And I'm glad we showed what the Gators are really about," Westbrook said.

PIVOTAL MOMENT

Playing with three fouls early in the third, Williams took a charge against Shakayla Thomas. Williams and the Gators celebrated wildly, then went on a small run that saw the Gators get going on both ends of the floor.

COURTSIDE

Florida men's coach Mike White and his players, who were awaiting their home opener against North Carolina A&T, were at the game.

TIP-INS

Florida State: Ended a 39-game streak of not allowing 80 points. ... Faced the Gators in its opener for just the second time and first since 1973. ... Is one of 11 NCAA women's programs that have made the Elite Eight multiple times since 2010.

Florida: Finished with 13 steals and 15 assists. ... Rallied from down 15 points, which ties for the seventh-largest come-from-behind win in program history.

UP NEXT

Florida State hosts Tulane on Thursday.

Florida host Kennesaw State on Saturday.

How can I watch Seminoles vs. Gators?

• TV Channel: Seminoles vs Gators 2021 College Basketball, week 2, is broadcasted on SEC Network.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Location: Gainesville, FL
Attendance: 2,009 | Capacity: