Facing its worst 6-game ACC start in 16 years, Florida State finally got clicking on all cylinders late in the second half to pull away from Clemson on Tuesday night at the Donald L. Tucker Center, 77-68.
The Seminoles (14-5, 2-4 ACC) trailed by as many as nine in the first half and by a 41-35 score at the break as Clemson’s Aamir Simms tipped in a missed Shelton Mitchell jumper as the first-half buzzer sounded. The Tigers (11-7, 1-4 ACC) held that lead until just before the 9-minute mark in the second half.
With more than 11 minutes to play, FSU trailed 55-50 before going on a 13-0 run, which was ignited by three straight 3-pointers. Freshman Devin Vassell ultimately put the Seminoles ahead for good with his first and only trey of the night.
Clemson would draw to within three at 65-62 when David Skara got the bounce on a triple from the corner with more than four minutes to play. FSU responded with a 12-4 run, with six of those points coming from Mfiondu Kabengele, to put the game away.
Kabengele finished with 17 points to lead Florida State while Nichols added 16. Terance Mann came up with nine points, eight rebounds and five assists in the victory.
FSU shot 45 percent to Clemson’s 44, but finally got things to fall from deep. After struggling mightily over the previous two games from distance, FSU shot 10-for-22 from deep. The Tigers went 5 of 17 and were held to just 27 points in the second half.
Simms finished with 18 points to lead Clemson while Elijah Thomas added 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Marcquise Reed, who came in as the ACC’s fourth-leading scorer, finished with 13 points but on just 4-for-11 shooting.
With Tuesday’s win, FSU ended a 3-game losing streak and will eye its first ACC road win on Sunday evening at Miami. Clemson travels to face NC State on Saturday.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
You must be logged in to post a comment Login