Florida State came into this game winning six of its last eight, wanting to get back above .500 for the first time since December, facing off against a Clemson (20-7, 10-3 ACC) squad looking to establish itself as a tournament team.
After a slow start and a back-and-forth game, FSU did just that, defeating Clemson 70-65 to move to 14-13 (7-7 ACC) on the season, securing its first road win against the Tigers in seven years.
First Half
The Seminoles and Tigers both started incredibly slowly, with a score of just
7-5 through the first 7 minutes. Clemson was just 2 of 13 on field goals through the first 8 minutes, but responded after the second media timeout with a quick layup. The Tigers continually missed their shots, entered another scoring drought of more than two minutes, and with nine minutes to play, Clemson was once again one of its last seven, though Florida State only led by four at this point.
The Tigers turned it around, going on an 8-0 run, and Florida State entered a scoring drought of three minutes. Clemson would lead 26-25, but not for long, as Martin Sommerville hit a three to make three straight threes in a row, yet Clemson had also made six straight shots in a row. At the end of the first half, Clemson led 36-33.
Second Half
To open the second half, it was a faster start than the first, with both the Seminoles and Tigers scoring at least six before the first media timeout. Florida State would go on a run of shooting its last five of seven to retake the lead at 46-42, and Clemson entered another scoring drought with 13 minutes remaining. The Seminoles extended their lead to six thanks to a Thomas Bassong pair of free throws, and at the second media timeout, it was 50-44.
Florida State would make four of its next five shots, yet Clemson remained in it with a pair of threes, going on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 55-55. The Seminoles entered a scoring drought of two minutes, in part thanks to the first missed free throw of the game. A foul on Clemson’s Efrem Johnson with 7:53 left put Florida State in a position to retake the lead, something the Seminoles achieved in part because Clemson had no field goals in three and a half minutes.
The Seminoles couldn’t push their lead past, with Clemson pulling within one with just over four minutes left in the matchup. A jumper by Dillon Hunter retook the lead for the Tigers, but a foul by Ace Buckner gave FSU the opportunity for the one-and-one, with Robert McCray making both to put Florida State up by one, the game sitting at 63-62.
While Clemson made a three-pointer to steal the lead back, McCray responded with a three of his own, permanently putting Florida State ahead with 2:20 to go. Shortly after, Alex Steen stole it away from Clemson, and yet another layup from McCray put the Noles up by three. The score stood at 68-65 as Clemson took its final timeout after missing every shot in the last two minutes, with just 38 seconds to go.
A missed three by Hunter and a foul on RJ Godfrey gave Lajae Jones an opportunity for a free throw, but it was missed. Buckner missed his fifth consecutive shot in attempting a three-pointer to tie. With 11 seconds to go, Buckner fouled to save as much time as he could. McCray put the dagger in Clemson’s heart with a pair of made free throws. Clemson missed another three, and that was the game.
Player of the Game
Robert McCray V legacy game. 29 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists. Business as usual for him. Credit really goes to the entire FSU team. No one wants to play them right now.
What’s Next?
Florida State hosts Miami on Feb. 24, with tip-off set for 9:00 p.m. ET from Tallahassee. The game will be aired on the ACC Network.
