STOCKTON, Calif. -- It was not how the Florida State Seminoles started but how they finished that counted on Saturday evening.
Down 17 points in the first quarter (24-7 early), the Seminoles began chipping away at the Oregon State lead by making slow but steady headway against one of the nation's stingiest defensive teams.
They chipped away not only at the lead but also at Oregon State's rhythm and confidence. By the time it was over, Florida State eliminated last year's Final Four team 66-53 at Stockton Arena. It was an impressive comeback in the Seminoles' fifth Sweet 16 appearance.
Senior guard Leticia Romero led the way with 18 points and five rebounds. ACC Player of the Year Shakayla Thomas turned in 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Ivey Slaughter finished with 11 points and, more impressively, nine steals.
Oregon State managed just seven field goals in the second half and only 11 over the final three quarters as the Seminoles changed the tone and assumed control of the game.
How the game was won: The Seminoles were down 17 points before they barely had time to look up at the scoreboard. But it was the defensive surge of energy and physical play, particularly inside, that changed the course of the game. Florida State forced 23 turnovers in the game and staged its comeback without hitting a single 3-pointer. Florida State scored 28 points off Beaver turnovers.
Play of the game: Leticia Romero's jumper with 7:22 to go in the third quarter gave Florida State its first lead of the game at 36-35, and the Seminoles trailed only once more, at 37-36, before solidifying their advantage.
Turning point: Romero's key basket to give Florida State its first lead was part of a 12-2 run to open the second half. Oregon State mustered just seven points in the third quarter as the turnovers began to pile up under Florida State pressure.
Stat of the game: Florida State recorded 16 steals. That's a lot of disruption for an Oregon State team that usually is very poised and calmly running half-court sets.
X factor: Oregon State senior guard Sydney Wiese was 3-of-14 for the game and 0-for-10 from beyond the arc. The Beavers couldn't keep the offensive pace with their best scorer struggling so mightily. Wiese closed her stellar college career with a difficult stat line of nine points and six turnovers.
What's next: Florida State, making its third appearance in the regional finals since 2010, faces off against No. 1 seed South Carolina on Monday in the Stockton Regional. It is a rematch of the 2015 regional final that South Carolina won 80-74 to launch the Gamecocks into their first Final Four in program history.