The Daily Nole

Seminole Saturday Summary: FSU Hoops Breaks Program Record for ACC Wins; Noles WIn ACC Men’s Indoor Track and Field Title

Mike Olivella/FSU athletics

For the second season in a row, Florida State men’s basketball set a new single-season record for ACC wins.

The No. 6 Seminoles accomplished the feat on Monday night with an 82-67 win over 11th-ranked Louisville at the Donald L. Tucker Center. FSU trailed by as many as 12 in the second half, but closed the game on a 42-16 run.

Trent Forrest led FSU with 16 points on an efficient 6-for-9 shooting. M.J. Walker and Devin Vassell each scored 12 points in the win. Patrick Williams and RaiQuan Gray each added 11. Ryan McMahon scored 14 points to lead Louisville.

The victory for FSU was its 14th in conference play, besting last season’s program record mark of 13. The Seminoles did fall in a heartbreaker at Clemson on Saturday, 70-69. Later Saturday night, Virginia defeated Duke. That means FSU can clinch the ACC regular season title by winning its final two games.

FSU men’s track and field claimed its third straight ACC indoor title on Saturday. (FSU athletics)

Florida State men’s track and field claimed a third straight ACC Indoor Championship over the 3-day event in South Bend, which wrapped up on Saturday.

The FSU men took the top three spots in both the long jump and 60-meter hurdles. In the long jump, Fabian Edoki won ACC gold, followed by teammates Isaac Grime and Jeremiah Davis. Trey Cunningham won in the 60-meter hurdles, ahead of teammates Caleb Parker and Braxton Canady.

Sprinter Jhevaughn Matherson finished the ACC Championships with a silver and a bronze in South Bend. FSU finished ahead of second-place Virginia Tech by a wide margin. The Hokies did claim the women’s title.

The FSU women finished sixth. Sprinter Ka’Tia Seymour scored the only golds for FSU on the women’s side. Seymour took first place in the 60 and 200 meters.

Football

Weekly Commitments: None
2021 Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 16 nationally, fourth in ACC (5 total commitments)*

Men’s Basketball

Record: 24-5 (14-4 ACC)
Ranking: No. 6 AP Poll; No. 6 USA Today Coaches Poll
Past Week: (1-1), defeated Louisville, 82-67; lost at Clemson, 70-69
Upcoming: at Notre Dame (Wednesday); Boston College (Saturday)
Recognitions: Trent Forrest, G (ACC Postgraduate Scholarship)
Weekly Commitments: None
2020 Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 46 nationally, 10th in ACC (2 total commitments)*
Big Picture: Florida State missed an opportunity to virtually cement the ACC regular season title. The Seminoles have just two regular season games remaining.

Weekly Review

(11) Louisville 67, (6) FSU 82
Monday, Feb. 24

After trailing by as many as 12 and 51-40 with less than 15 minutes to go in the game, Florida State outscored Louisville 42-16 to close the game and stay undefeated at home. The Seminoles shot 51 percent from the field and held an advantage in free throws and rebounds in the victory. Trent Forrest finished with 16 points and three steals to lead FSU. M.J. Walker and Devin Vassell each added 12 points for FSU in the win. RaiQuan Gray and Patrick Williams each finished with 11 points. Ryan McMahon led Louisville with 14 points on an efficient 3-for-5 shooting. David Johnson added 13 points in the loss.

(6) FSU 69, Clemson 70
Saturday, Feb. 29

FSU led by as many as 10 in the second half, but could not hold the lead. The Seminoles trailed 68-65 with 32 seconds remaining, but back-to-back field goals by Trent Forrest put FSU in front. With one second left, Clemson’s Al-Amir Dawes got the roll for the game-winner as the Tigers salvaged a split of the regular season series. FSU shot 50 percent, but turned the ball over 16 times in the loss. Dawes and John Newman III each scored a game-high 18 points for Clemson. Devin Vassell led FSU with 14 points. Forrest and Malik Osborne each added 11 for the Seminoles.

Women’s Basketball

Record: 22-6 (11-6 ACC)
Ranking: No. 19 AP Poll; No. 22 USA Today Coaches Poll
Past Week: (1-1), lost at Georgia Tech, 65-62; defeated Clemson, 81-54
Upcoming: vs. Notre Dame (Sunday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: After a 1-1 week, FSU will need to beat Notre Dame in the regular season finale or have Virginia Tech fall at Louisville to clinch a double-bye in the ACC Tournament.

Weekly Review

(17) FSU 62, Georgia Tech 65
Sunday, Feb. 23

Florida State led by as many as nine in the second half, but a 19-2 run for Georgia Tech to end the third quarter and start the fourth gave the Yellow Jackets an advantage they would never lose. The Seminoles were able to get as close as one in the final quarter, but Kourtney Weber missed the go-ahead 3-pointer and Nicki Ekhomu missed the tying trey in the final 16 seconds. Francesca Pan led Georgia Tech with a game-high 23 points. Ekhomu tallied 21 points for the Seminoles in the loss.

Clemson 54, (19) FSU 81
Thursday, Feb. 27

Florida State held Clemson to 36 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers in a dominating win over the Tigers. Nausia Woolfolk scored a game-high 17 points for FSU, which never trailed in the win. Kiah Gillespie added 16 points, Valencia Myers 14, Morgan Jones 12 and Nicki Ekhomu had 11 points. Kobi Thornton paced Clemson with 13 points.

Baseball

Record: 8-2
Ranking: No. 9 D1Baseball; No. 12 Baseball America; No. 12 NCBWA; No. 11 Collegiate Baseball
Past Week: (3-1), beat Cincinnati, 10-1; defeated Florida Atlantic, 5-1; defeated Florida Atlantic, 16-6, fell to Texas Tech, 6-5
Upcoming: vs. Texas Tech (Sunday); at Mercer (Tuesday); at Duke (Friday); at Duke (Saturday)
Recognitions: Elijah Cabell, OF (ACC Co-Player of the Week)
Big Picture: Closing games continued to be an issue for Florida State on Saturday night. Prior to that, the Seminoles had won eight straight games.

Weekly Review

Cincinnati 1, (14) FSU 10
Sunday, Feb. 23

Florida State broke a 1-1 tie with a 7-run fourth inning and never looked back to complete the sweep of Cincinnati. The big inning was highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Elijah Cabell. Tyler Martin and Carter Smith each scored two runs for FSU in the win. Griffin Merritt homered for Cincinnati’s only run. Conor Grady allowed just a run on three hits in five innings to earn the win for the Seminoles.

Florida Atlantic 1, (12) FSU 5
Friday, Feb. 28

Florida State held Florida Atlantic to just one hit to take the opener of a 2-game set at the Florida State Tournament. C.J. Van Eyk allowed the hit and an earned run while walking five and striking out eight in six innings to earn the win. FSU catcher Matheu Nelson was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs in the win. Wilfredo Alvarez drove in the lone run for the Owls.

Florida Atlantic 6, (12) FSU 16
Saturday, Feb. 29

Florida State trailed 3-0 early, but scored six runs in the fourth to go ahead for good and six again in the eighth to put the game away. Tyler Martin scored on a wild pitch during the fourth to put FSU in front. Five different Seminoles had multiple hits. Robby Martin was 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. Tyler Martin, Jackson Greene, Carter Smith and Nander De Sedas all had big days at the plate for the Seminoles. Cooper Swanson homered in the win. Bobby Morgensen and Francisco Urbaez each left the yard for Florida Atlantic in the loss.

(2) Texas Tech 6, (12) FSU 5
Saturday, Feb. 29 (11 innings)

Florida State led 4-1 early and by a run entering the ninth inning, but was unable to hold on for victory. Texas Tech outfielder Dru Baker’s solo home run off Parker Messick in the top of the ninth evened the game. In the 11th, the Red Raiders went ahead for good as Dillon Carter scored on a throwing error by Carter Smith. FSU committed four errors, leading to four unearned runs for Texas Tech. Cole Stilwell was 2-for-6 with four RBIs for the Red Raiders. Matheu Nelson drove in two runs for FSU. Tyler Martin had three hits for the Seminoles while Robby Martin had four in the loss.

Men’s Tennis

Record: 9-3
Ranking: No. 15 ITA
Past Week: (0-1), lost to Oklahoma, 4-3
Upcoming: vs. Georgia Tech (Sunday); at Clemson (Thursday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: Florida State lost a heartbreaker to Oklahoma in its only match of the week. The Seminoles are now set for ACC play.

Weekly Review

Oklahoma 4, (15) FSU 3
Friday, Feb. 28 (Lake Nona)

With the score tied 3-3, Oklahoma’s Jochen Bertsch clinched the match for the Sooners with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over FSU’s Richard Thongoana. Oklahoma took the doubles point, which turned out to be the difference. All three dual victories for Florida State came in straight sets while all dual wins for the Sooners went three sets. Alex Knaff, Sebastian Arcila and Loris Pourroy all collected wins for FSU.

Women’s Tennis

Record: 12-2 (1-1 ACC)
Ranking: No. 2 ITA
Past Week: (1-0), defeated Florida Gulf Coast, 6-1
Upcoming: vs. Ohio State (Sunday, Lake Nona); at Clemson (Friday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: After navigating through a relatively difficult stretch early in the season, Florida State earned an easy win on Friday.

Weekly Review

Florida Gulf Coast 1, (2) FSU 6
Friday, Feb. 28

Florida State had little trouble with Florida Gulf Coast on Friday. All five singles victories for FSU were in straight sets. Emmanuelle Salas clinched the match for FSU with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Maja Ornberg. Also earning straight-set wins for the Seminoles were Petra Hule, Victoria Allen, Sasha Hill and Andrea Garcia. Sofia Perez beat FSU’s Nandini Das for the only singles win for the Eagles.

Track and Field

Ranking: Men No. 9 USTFCCCA, No. 1 South Region; Women No. 6 South Region
Past Week: Men finished first, women sixth at ACC Indoor Championships
Upcoming: NCAA Indoor Championships (March 13 and 14)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: The FSU men easily won a third straight ACC title over the weekend. The women finished sixth. Up next is the NCAA Championships.

Weekly Review

ACC Indoor Championships: Men 1st; Women 6th
Thursday, Feb. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 29

Florida State claimed a third straight men’s indoor championship while the women settled for sixth. The FSU men had the top four finishers in the long jump. Fabian Edoki won ACC gold in the event, followed by teammates Isaac Grimes, Jeremiah Davis and Darius Clark. In the 60-meter hurdles to kick off Saturday, FSU claimed the top three spots with Trey Cunningham, Caleb Parker and Braxton Canady finishing first, second and third. On the women’s side, Ka’Tia Seymour claimed ACC gold in the 60 and 200 meters.

Swimming and Diving

Ranking: Men No. 14 CSCAA
Past Week: FSU participated in the ACC Championships
Upcoming: NCAA Zone B Diving (March 9-11)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: Florida State’s men earned a lot of medals during a strong showing in Greensboro. The teams will now get ready for the NCAA Championships.

Weekly Review

Men 5th at ACC Championships
Wednesday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, Feb. 29

The FSU men claimed fifth in the ACC Championships over four days in Greensboro. NC State claimed the team title. Peter Varjasi claimed FSU’s first medal of the men’s ACC Championships on Thursday with a third-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle. Varjasi also took second in the 100-yard freestyle and was part of the third-place 800-yard freestyle relay team. In the 1-meter diving, Joshua Davidson claimed FSU’s first gold of the ACC Championships. The Seminoles also won the 200-yard freestyle relay. On Friday, Izaak Bastian claimed a bronze in the 100-yard breaststroke. Bastian was also part of FSU’s silver medal winning 200-yard medley relay team. In the 400-yard medley relay, the Seminoles finished second. They took third in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Softball

Record: 10-5
Ranking: No. 9 NFCA Coaches Poll; No. 8 D1Softball; No. 8 USA Softball
Past Week: (3-1), lost to Baylor, 2-1 (Wooo Pig Classic); beat Kent State, 11-1 (Wooo Pig Classic); beat Baylor, 5-3; beat Arkansas, 2-1
Upcoming: vs. Villanova (Sunday, Wooo Pig Classic); vs. Holy Cross (Tuesday); at UCF (Wednesday); vs. Longwood (Friday, THE Spring Games); vs. Charleston Southern (Saturday, THE Spring Games); vs. Creighton (Saturday, THE Spring Games)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: After dropping its opener in Arkansas, Florida State bounced back strong with three straight wins.

Weekly Review

(23) Baylor 2, (9) FSU 1
Friday, Feb. 28 (Wooo Pig Classic)

An unearned run was all that Florida State could muster in its first of five games at the Wooo Pig Classic. Aliyah Pritchett allowed just five hits in seven innings while walking two and striking out seven for Baylor. At the plate, Pritchett finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. Sydney Sherrill drove in the lone run for the Seminoles during a contest where she went 2-for-4.

(9) FSU 11, Kent State 1
Friday, Feb. 28 (Wooo Pig Classic)

Devyn Flaherty, Morgan Noah and Kaia LoPreste all had two RBIs for FSU as the Seminoles earned their first win in Arkansas. Flaherty and Noah both homered in the victory. Flaherty also scored three times while Cassidy Davis drove in three runs for FSU. Kathryn Sandercock allowed just a run on three hits in six innings to earn the win. Brenna Brownfield homered to plate the only run for the Golden Flashes.

(9) FSU 5, (23) Baylor 3
Saturday, Feb. 29 (Wooo Pig Classic)

Florida State fell behind 2-0, but Josie Muffley’s RBI double capped a 3-run fourth inning and the Seminoles never looked back. Muffley finished with two RBIs in the win. Dani Morgan scored and drove in a run. Kaia LoPreste was 2-for-2 with an RBI for FSU. Aliyah Pritchett homered for Baylor and finished with two RBIs. Kathryn Sandercock allowed just a run on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings of relief to earn the win.

(9) FSU 2, (22) Arkansas 1
Saturday, Feb. 29 (Wooo Pig Classic)

Host Arkansas managed just an unearned run against Florida State as the Seminoles clinched a winning trip. Elizabeth Mason and Josie Muffley each had RBI hits for the Seminoles. Kaia LoPreste finished with two of the five hits for FSU. Braxton Burnside was 2-for-4 for Arkansas and scored the Razorbacks’ only run. Caylan Arnold allowed just the unearned run on four hits while striking out seven in five innings to pick up the win.

Men’s Golf

Ranking: N/A
Past Week: FSU finished fourth at the Seminole Intercollegiate
Upcoming: Cabo Collegiate (Sunday through Tuesday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: Florida State didn’t finish strong at its home tournament, but John Pak continues to prove he’s one of the best players in the country.

Weekly Review

4th at Seminole Intercollegiate
Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23

Despite being second after the first day, Florida State settled for a fourth-place finish in its home tournament. At -9, Washington won the tournament, finishing seven strokes better than East Tennessee State. FSU’s John Pak did claim the individual title at -11. That was five strokes better than Liberty’s Jonathan Yaun. Cole Anderson finished tied for ninth for the Seminoles.

Women’s Golf

Ranking: N/A
Past Week: FSU began the Florida State Match-Up
Upcoming: Florida State Match-Up (Sunday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: Through the first day of the Florida State Match-Up, the Seminoles are in second place behind LSU.

Beach Volleyball

Record: 9-0
Ranking: No. 3 AVCA Coaches
Past Week: (5-0), defeated Cal Poly, 4-1 (Seminole Beach Bash); beat South Carolina, 5-0 (Seminole Beach Bash); beat Tampa, 5-0 (Seminole Beach Bash); defeated Grand Canyon, 4-1 (Hilton Head Island Invitational); beat South Carolina, 5-0 (Hilton Head Island Invitational)
Upcoming: vs. College of Charleston (Sunday, Hilton Head Island Invitational); vs. USC (Sunday, Hilton Head Island Invitational); vs. UNC-Wilmington (Saturday, North Florida Beach Volleyball Invite); at North Florida (Saturday, North Florida Beach Volleyball Invite)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: Florida State continues to roll through opponents. FSU will have a measuring stick match on Saturday against USC.

Weekly Review

(7) Cal Poly 1, (2) FSU 4
Sunday, Feb. 23 (Seminole Beach Bash)

For just the second time all season, Florida State lost a dual, but the Seminoles rebounded to win with relative ease. Kate Privett and Maddie Anderson clinched the match for FSU with a 21-17, 22-20 win over Cal Poly’s Emily Sonny and Jayelin Lombard. The lone dual win for Cal Poly came on Court 2 as Mariah Whalen and Tia Miric beat FSU’s Alice Zeimann and Madison Fitzpatrick.

(13) South Carolina 0, (2) FSU 5
Sunday, Feb. 23 (Seminole Beach Bash)

Florida State didn’t lose a single set as it defeated South Carolina in the final match against a ranked opponent on opening weekend. Molly McBain and Alaina Chacon secured the victory for the Seminoles with a 21-14, 21-11 win over South Carolina’s Skylar Allen and Katie Smith. On four of the five courts, the Gamecocks didn’t score more than 17 points in any set.

Tampa 0, (2) FSU 5
Sunday, Feb. 23 (Seminole Beach Bash)

Florida State closed a perfect Seminole Beach Bash with a convincing victory over Tampa. Ashley Robert and Lexi McKeown secured the win for FSU with a 21-14, 21-15 victory over Tampa’s Selina Pfuner and Claire Overton. The lone dual to go three sets came on Court 1 as FSU’s Molly McBain and Alaina Chacon rallied past Julia Oswald and Rachel Rosequist, 20-22, 21-15, 15-9.

(3) FSU 4, (10) Grand Canyon 1
Saturday, Feb. 29 (Hilton Head Island Invitational)

It was maybe Florida State’s most competitive match of the young season as two of the four dual victories came in three sets. Madison Fitzpatrick and Alice Zeimann clinched the match with a 18-21, 22-20, 16-14 win over Grand Canyon’s Jessica Stansfield and Hannah Towne. Taylor Jarzombek and Madi Relaz won the only dual for the Lopes, topping FSU’s Keara Rutz and Jenna Johnson in straight sets.

(3) FSU 5, (17) South Carolina 0
Saturday, Feb. 29 (Hilton Head Island Invitational)

Four of the five FSU singles victories came in straight sets in the final match of Saturday. The exception was on Court 5 where FSU’s Ashley Robert and Morgan Chacon defeated South Carolina’s Jordan Smith and Morgyn Greer, 17-21, 21-14, 15-13. Maddie Anderson and Kate Privett clinched the match for the Seminoles by knocking off Madison Brabham and Hannah Edelman, 21-12, 21-19.

Other News

Tuesday’s FSU baseball game at Jacksonville was postponed and rescheduled for May 12.

Wednesday’s FSU softball game vs. UCF was postponed and may be made up.

*247Sports Composite rankings

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.

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