In a thrilling Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball battle, the Syracuse Orange narrowly defeated Florida State 82-72, showcasing both teams' competitive spirit and potential.

The game unfolded with Syracuse establishing an early dominance, launching a decisive 10-2 run that set the tone for the evening. Sole Williams, FSU's sharp shooter, quickly responded with a long-range triple, signaling the Seminoles' determination to stay competitive.

Despite a challenging first quarter where Syracuse built a 26-14 lead, Florida State demonstrated remarkable resilience. The Seminoles methodically chipped away at the deficit, winning the second quarter 19-17 and entering halftime with a manageable 43-33 deficit.

The third quarter saw FSU mount a serious comeback, cutting the lead to just four points before Syracuse's Dominique Darius countered with a timely three-pointer. The Orange then unleashed an 8-1 run, maintaining their momentum and heading into the final quarter with a commanding 62-51 advantage.

In the game's dramatic final moments, Florida State threatened to upset Syracuse. Allie Kubek's three-pointer and Emma Risch's subsequent shot brought the Seminoles tantalizingly close at 74-72. However, Syracuse's Uche Izoje sealed the victory with four crucial points and ultimately eight unanswered points to close out the game.

While the loss stings, Florida State showed promising signs. Sole Williams led the team with an impressive 21 points, supported by Emma Risch's 15 and solid contributions from Allie Kubek and Jasmine Shavers. The Seminoles' shooting, particularly from three-point range, kept them competitive throughout the contest.

The game's standout performer was Syracuse's Uche Izoje, who dominated with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 blocks in just 30 minutes of play. Her performance was pivotal in Syracuse's victory, particularly in controlling the boards where the Orange outrebounded FSU 56-29.

Looking ahead, Florida State will host Virginia on Sunday at 2 pm, broadcasting on the ACC Network. Despite their current record, the Seminoles showed glimpses of potential that suggest brighter days may be on the horizon.