Florida State Seminoles Triumph Over Clemson Tigers
In a thrilling encounter on Saturday, the Florida State Seminoles outlasted the Clemson Tigers with a 70-65 victory in Clemson, S.C. Notably, Robert McCray V showcased a stellar performance, matching his season-best by scoring 29 points, including the final ten points for Florida State. This win marked another step in Florida State’s successful run, bringing their recent record to seven victories in the last nine games.
Game Highlights
The lead oscillated throughout a competitive first half filled with nine lead changes. Despite this back-and-forth action, Florida State managed to edge ahead for 11 minutes of the half. However, it was Clemson’s Ace Buckner who made a significant impact late in the half, drilling three crucial 3-pointers in the last four minutes, which contributed to an 8-0 surge, allowing the Tigers to secure a 36-33 lead at the intermission.
As the second half unfolded, Florida State seized momentum with a 7-0 run early on, allowing them to establish a 48-42 advantage with just over 13 minutes to play. The Seminoles built their lead to eight points before Clemson bounced back. The Tigers regained the advantage at 56-55 with eight minutes remaining, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
Clutch Moments
The closing minutes were marked by five additional lead changes, culminating in a pivotal moment when McCray connected on a 3-pointer, giving Florida State a narrow 66-65 lead. From that point on, Clemson struggled offensively, failing to score on their final six attempts, which included five missed three-pointers. McCray capped off the game by adding a layup and sealing the win with a pair of free throws.
Player Contributions
Lajae Jones contributed significantly for the Seminoles with 13 points, while Clemson’s scoring efforts were led by Buckner with 15 points, followed by Dillon Hunter and RJ Godfrey with 13 and 12 points respectively. This result leaves Clemson at a 20-8 record overall and 10-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), but they are now on a four-game losing streak after starting strong with a 10-1 conference record.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Florida State will face Miami on Tuesday, while Clemson prepares to host No. 21 Louisville next Saturday, as both teams aim to bolster their postseason prospects.
