Florida State withstood a big Colorado State run to start the second half and wore down the Rams in the final game of the Jamaica Classic on Sunday.
The Seminoles (3-0) hit a new season scoring high in the 90-73 victory and had four players in double-figures, including one youngster who recorded a new career-high. Freshman M.J. Walker tied Colorado State’s Prentiss Nixon with a game-high 22 points while Terance Mann added 20 on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting for FSU to go with a team-high nine rebounds.
FSU led 47-36 at the break before the Rams (2-2) opened the second half on a 14-1 scoring run to take a 50-48 lead. The Seminoles answered with an 8-0 run before Colorado State retied the game with the next six points.
Walker put FSU ahead for good with a 4-point play by making a 3-pointer while being fouled and then converting the free throw. From then on, FSU outscored the Rams 34-17 to end the game.
On the offensive end, Florida State shot 52 percent from the floor and forced 22 turnovers on the defensive end, but the Rams still managed to hang around well into the second half. Mfiondu Kabengele scored in double-figures for a third straight game with 12 points while guard C.J. Walker chipped in with 11 for FSU. Braian Angola narrowly missed hitting double-figures with nine points, but led the Seminoles with eight assists and four steals.
In addition to Nixon’s big game, Che Bob finished with 14 points, a game-high 10 rebounds and a team-high three blocks for the Rams. Lorenzo Jenkins also scored 14 points in the loss while Deion James added 11 points.
Florida State will return home and be back in action on Wednesday against Kennesaw State. Colorado State will play at New Mexico State on Wednesday.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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