The No. 11 seed George Mason Patriots (27-5) will make history on Saturday, stepping onto the NCAA Tournament stage for the first time when they take on the No. 6 seed Florida State Seminoles (23-8) at Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Despite their underdog status, George Mason enters the tournament brimming with confidence after clinching the Atlantic 10 title to secure an automatic bid. The Patriots have everything to gain and nothing to lose, while Florida State shoulders the pressure of expectation.
The Seminoles, favored by 81.9% to advance, have struggled to get past the opening round in recent years. Their last first-round victory came in 2019, and they suffered an early exit three years ago at the hands of Missouri State, a mid-major program.
Veteran duo O'Mariah Gordon and Makayla Timpson were just freshmen during that upset, but as seniors, they've experienced March Madness in every season of their college careers. This time, they're determined to snap FSU's streak of four consecutive first-round exits.
The Seminoles head into the tournament on the back of two straight defeats, falling to Duke in their regular-season finale before losing to UNC in the ACC quarterfinals. The stakes are high, with the winner moving on to the Round of 32, where they'll meet the victor of the LSU-San Diego State clash.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Florida State vs George Mason NCAA Women's game, plus plenty more.
Florida State vs George Mason: Date and tip-off time
The Seminoles and the Patriots will tip off in a highly anticipated NCAAW game on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 7:45 pm ET/4:45 pm PT at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Date | Saturday, March 22, 2025 |
Tip-off Time | 7:45 pm ET/4:45 pm PT |
Venue | Pete Maravich Assembly Center |
Location | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
How to watch Florida State vs George Mason on TV & stream live online
Fans in the USA can catch all the action between the Fighting Illini and the Bluejays on:
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Streaming service: Fubo
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Florida State Seminoles team news & key performers
Florida State thrives on perimeter shooting, averaging 8.5 made three-pointers per game, which is 2.5 more than George Mason allows on average. The Seminoles won't take the Patriots lightly, knowing their opponents have been battle-tested all season. The outcome will hinge on offensive efficiency.
FSU boasts one of the nation's top-scoring offenses, led by its Big Three—Ta’Niya Latson, Makayla Timpson, and O’Mariah Gordon. Latson, the team's scoring machine, is averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. Timpson has been a force in the paint, posting 17.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks over her last 10 outings.
For Florida State to advance, they must control the tempo from start to finish and prevent George Mason from gaining any momentum.
George Mason Patriots news & key performers
Zahirah Walton has been the Patriots' offensive leader, averaging 15.1 points per game, while also making her mark on the defensive end. The 5-foot-11 forward is a true two-way presence, ranking fifth in the Atlantic 10 with 55 steals and second on the team with 32 blocks. Her standout sophomore season earned her All-Conference and All-Defensive Team honors.
Kennedy Harris, a 5ft 7in sophomore guard, adds an efficient scoring threat from deep. Averaging 7.0 points per game, she boasts a 39.1% three-point shooting percentage and was recognized with Second-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors.
Paula Suarez, a 6 ft senior guard and team co-captain, is the floor general for George Mason. She ranks third on the team in scoring with 11.9 points per game, while leading the Patriots with 4.4 assists per contest. Her 139 total assists place her third in the conference, and her 2.24 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks 37th nationally. Shooting an efficient 44.8% from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc, Suarez was named the Atlantic 10's Most Improved Player and earned Second-Team All-Conference recognition.