Florida State Triumphs Over California in Close Contest
In a tightly contested matchup on Wednesday evening, Florida State emerged victorious over California with a final score of 63-61 in Tallahassee. The Seminoles, who dominated early in the game, surged ahead to establish a significant 36-23 lead by halftime, largely due to a formidable 18-4 run to close out the first period.
Chaundy Wiggins was instrumental in this early thrust, contributing 18 points and hitting three crucial three-pointers, finishing with an impressive shooting percentage of 77.8%, converting 7 of 9 attempts from the field.
Second Half Drama
The second half saw Florida State expand its lead to 15 points, but California fought back aggressively. The Golden Bears went on a 15-6 scoring spree, allowing them to briefly claim a narrow advantage at 59-58 with just under four minutes remaining. The game was tied at 60 when Wiggins sank a pivotal jumper, regaining the lead for the Seminoles, who then held off Cal’s late-game surge.
California had opportunities to tie or take the lead in the closing moments but struggled from the floor, missing their final four shots—including a desperate three-point attempt from Justin Pippen as time expired.
Pippen led the Bears with 19 points, hitting four three-pointers, while Chris Bell and Dai Dai Ames contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively. Milos Ilic not only scored but also dominated on the boards, grabbing a total of 11 rebounds for California.
Game Statistics and Implications
Overall, Florida State shot 36.5% from the field (23 of 63), slightly surpassing California’s 34.5% (20 of 58). The matchup marked a significant moment, being California’s first encounter with Florida State on their home court.
Florida State improved to 2-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 9-12 overall, while California’s record now stands at 15-6 and 3-5 in conference play. Fans can stay updated on college basketball rankings and news through alerts from the Associated Press.
