Thomas leads No. 5 FSU women past Wake Forest
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida State's Shakayla Thomas played only 20 minutes against Wake Forest on Thursday night, but that was plenty.
Thomas scored 23 points as the fifth-ranked Seminoles cruised to a 102-60 victory and extend their winning streak to 10 games.
"She is a great player for us," Florida State coach Sue Semrau said of Thomas. "She knows that part of her gift is scoring the basketball. Her teammates get her the ball and she delivers."
Thomas, who has five 20-point games this season, scored seven of the Seminoles' first 11 points and had 11 in the first quarter. FSU (23-2, 11-1 Atlantic Coast Conferences) was up 22-9 after the first 10 minutes.
The 5-foot-11 junior forward, who was 10 of 12 from the field, is averaging 17 points per game during the Seminoles' winning streak. She also has six straight games where she has scored 17 or more.
"She's a tough matchup. She is probably one of the most athletic kids in the country," Wake Forest coach Jen Hoover said about Thomas. "She has a great midrange jumper that is hard to defend. You can't keep the ball out of her hands."
The Seminoles, which were up by as many as 44 late in the fourth quarter, reached the century mark for only the fourth time in an ACC game. The last time was Jan. 25, 2015, also against Wake Forest.
Chatrice White added 14 points and Ivey Slaughter 13 for FSU, which remains tied with Notre Dame for the ACC lead.
Elisa Penna led the Demon Deacons (14-10, 5-6) with 18 points, and Alex Sharp added 11.
BIG PICTURE
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons lead the ACC in rebounding, averaging 42 per game. They were held to 28 against Florida State and were outrebounded by seven.
Florida State: The Seminoles have their second winning streak of 10 games or more this season. They have won by an average margin of 23.9 points during the current 10-game streak with five of the wins by 20 points or more. It is also the second straight season and third time in school history that they have started 11-1 in ACC play.
DOUBLING UP
Florida State had six players reach double figures, which is only the 15th time that has happened in program history. Brittany Brown - who had 12 points and 10 rebounds - had a double-double against Wake Forest for the second straight year.
IN A SLUMP
Florida State guard Leticia Romero was 0-for-4 from the field and had just two points in 17 minutes. Romero, who is averaging 13.2 points, has been held under 10 points in four straight games.
OFF NIGHT
Wake Forest's Milan Quinn, who is averaging 11.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, had only her fourth game this season when she was held to single digits in points (eight) and rebounds (four).
SHE SAID IT
"We don't ever want to give up 100. That's embarrassing to me and our players but they are awfully good," Hoover on Florida State.
UP NEXT
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons travel to Virginia on Sunday. Wake has dropped four of the last five to the Cavaliers.
Florida State: The Seminoles host No. 10 Texas on Monday. FSU is 7-1 against ranked teams this season.
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