Junior guard Leticia Romero scored 17 points for Florida State to help lead the Seminoles past the No. 12 seed Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 72-55 Saturday in the women's NCAA Tournament.
The Seminoles overcame 21 turnovers, 14 in the first half, to advance to the second round.
The Blue Raiders kept the game close until the Seminoles went on an 11-4 run late in the third quarter. In the final 10 minutes, FSU coach Sue Semrau's squad extended the lead to as many as 20 over Rick Insell and Middle Tennessee.
MTSU Freshman forward Alex Johnson led all players in scoring with 22 points, going 10 of 18 from the field.
Florida State has won its opening-round game in 13 consecutive postseason appearances dating to 1991.
