A.J. Alix made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:04 remaining and Nicole Ekhomu added a free throw with 7.8 seconds left, helping No. 12 Florida State hand No. 2 Louisville its first loss of the season, 50-49 Sunday.

The Seminoles (18-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) trailed 22-9 after the first quarter before rallying, taking their first lead at 37-36 in the third quarter. They won despite shooting just 28 percent overall.

Arica Carter's 3-pointer put Louisville (20-1, 6-1) ahead with 1:54 to go. Alix answered from long range, then Ekhomu made the second of two from the line.

Louisville missed one shot and committed two turnovers in the final 30 seconds before Myisha Hines-Allen hit a layup as time ran out.

Hines-Allen finished with 13. The Cardinals made just 7 of 30 shots after halftime.

Shakayla Thomas had 14 points and 11 rebounds while Imani Wright scored 10 points for Florida State. The Seminoles have won four in a row and eight of nine.

BIG PICTURE

Florida State: The Seminoles couldn't have started worse, missing 14 of their first 17 shots and 22 of 32 in the first half. And yet, they trailed just 32-26 at the break and got within 32-29 early in the third quarter as the shots began falling. They created chances through an effective zone that slowed the Cardinals and made Asia Durr work harder for shots. Alix then made the big shot that stood behind several defensive stands.

Louisville: Coach Jeff Walz has said all along that his team wouldn't go undefeated, and a Cardinals offense that relies on Durr's shooting to get things going had to rely on others to fill the void as she struggled from the field. The Cardinals found a way in the first quarter but stumbled after that, particularly in the third quarter. Carter's 3 was the only basket they got when needed as possessions ended either in missed shots or turnovers.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Cardinals could drop a few spots but remain in Top Five with their first loss. FSU could break into the Top 10 after its signature win.

UP NEXT

Florida State faces No. 5 Notre Dame on Sunday.

Louisville visits Miami in a Thursday morning matchup.