It’s been a rough stretch in Tallahassee lately. If you’ve been following the Noles, you know the vibe around the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center hasn't exactly been electric. Honestly, it’s been downright stressful. Between the men’s team sliding into a losing skid and the women’s team fighting to claw back into ACC relevance, checking the Florida State score for today has become a bit of a localized tradition of holding one's breath.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the spotlight shifted to the women's side. The Florida State Seminoles (6-12) hosted the No. 23 North Carolina Tar Heels in a 2:00 PM ET matinee that felt like a must-win for pride, if nothing else.
The Current Number: Florida State vs. North Carolina
Coming off a much-needed road win against Pitt, the Seminoles entered today’s matchup with a bit of momentum. Sydney Bowles and Amaya Bonner have been the lifeblood of this roster lately. Bowles basically put the team on her back in the previous outing, raining down six triples.
For today’s game against UNC, the stakes were high. The Tar Heels came in ranked 23rd in the USA Today coaches poll, bringing a balanced attack led by Indya Nivar and Ciera Toomey. Florida State, despite their 6-12 record, has shown flashes of brilliance—especially on the glass. They currently rank 39th nationally in rebounds per game (37.1). That’s where they had to win today.
Why the Florida State Score for Today Matters So Much
Look, we have to talk about the men’s side for a second to understand the tension in the air. Yesterday, January 17, Leonard Hamilton's squad suffered a gut-wrenching 69-68 loss to Wake Forest. It was a game they had. They led. They fought. And then, a 14-4 run by the Demon Deacons in the closing minutes snatched it away.
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That loss dropped the men to 7-11 overall and a brutal 0-5 in ACC play. When the men’s team is struggling this hard, the pressure on the women’s program to deliver a "W" for the home fans becomes immense. People are looking for any reason to do the Tomahawk Chop with some actual conviction.
Breaking Down the Performance
What’s interesting about this year’s FSU women’s team is the scoring distribution. They don't just rely on one person. Solè Williams is the engine, averaging 15.6 points per game, but they have six players averaging over 8 points.
- Solè Williams: The clear leader, though she’s had to work for every bucket.
- Jasmine Shavers: Provides that secondary scoring punch (12.4 PPG).
- Sydney Bowles: The veteran presence who just came off a 24-point heater.
Today's matchup against North Carolina was always going to be a battle of styles. UNC plays a more disciplined, high-percentage game (26th in FG%), while FSU relies on volume and second-chance points. If you were watching the live updates for the Florida State score for today, you saw a game that was won or lost in the paint.
The Football Factor: Looking Ahead to 2026
Even though we're in the thick of hoops season, you can’t mention Florida State without people asking about the gridiron. The football news cycle is actually buzzing today because of the transfer portal.
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Just yesterday, it was confirmed that the Desir brothers—Mandrell and Darryll—officially withdrew from the portal to stay in Tallahassee. That’s massive. They combined for 7.5 sacks as true freshmen. Mike Norvell is in a "prove it" year for 2026 after a disappointing 5-7 finish in 2025, and keeping that defensive talent is arguably a bigger win than any individual basketball game this month.
How to Follow the Noles Moving Forward
If you missed the live action, the Florida State score for today is just one piece of a very long January. The women head to SMU next on January 22, while the men are looking for their first conference win against Miami on January 20.
Honestly, it’s a rebuilding year across the board. The "New ACC" with Cal, Stanford, and SMU has made the travel schedules weird and the competition even more unpredictable.
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Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the official Seminoles app: It’s still the fastest way to get live stats without the 30-second delay you see on some betting apps.
- Watch the Replays: Most of these ACC games are streaming on Fubo or the CW. If you missed the UNC game, the second-half adjustments are worth a watch, especially how FSU handled the Tar Heels' full-court press.
- Keep an eye on the Kicker: FSU just signed Gabe Panikowski (Oklahoma State transfer) and Conor McAneney. Special teams won't help the basketball score, but it'll save your sanity come August.
The final result today showed a team that is clearly tired of being counted out. Whether the score went their way or not, the effort at the Tucker Center suggests this season isn't over just yet.
To stay updated on future matchups, sync the Florida State athletic calendar directly to your phone. This ensures you never miss a tip-off time, especially with the frequent Sunday afternoon slots for the women's team. Additionally, if you're following the football recruiting trail, keep tabs on the spring portal window, which opens in April and will determine the final look of the 2026 roster.