It was all about who was going to miss first in Florida State men’s basketball’s (14-12, 8-7 ACC) Tuesday night game against Boston College.
Both teams finished shooting for over 50% from the field.
However, it was a 10-0 run by the Seminoles in the second half that allowed them to speed ahead for an 84-76 win over the Eagles (15-11, 6-9) at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in front of 6,009 fans.
“This game was the reflection of the focus that our players had on trying to eliminate what we call dips during the games,” FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton said. “We’ve gone back and analyzed all the games that we played, and especially the ones that we’ve lost.”
“With the exception of five minutes in each game, we could be near the top of the ACC. I’m not gonna say we’d be undefeated, but I think that we wouldn’t be where we are.”
Strong night offensively
FSU’s offense was clicking on all cylinders as it shot for 54.9% (28-of-51) from the field and 38% from 3-point (7-of-18) range. It was also 72.4% (21-of-29) from the line. It is one of the Seminoles’ best shooting games this season.
Boston College was keeping pace with FSU until a 10-0 run just over halfway through the second half blew the game open in the Seminoles’ favor.
Chandler Jackson set a new career high in points with 19 draining 7-of-10 shots from the field and two 3-pointers.
“He [Jackson] takes contact and finishes around the basket and he has a burst of speed that allows him to accelerate and move past people,” Hamilton said. “He’s a much better athlete than maybe you might think whenever he’s in a crowd. He seems though he always comes away with the ball.”
Jamir Watkins followed with his fourth 20+ point game of the season and third double-double of the year with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Cameron Corhen and Jalen Warley also eclipsed double-scoring figures, both with 13 points.
“He [Watkins] has an unusual skill mentally and emotionally and they never seem to get around him,” Hamilton said. “He’s always in the moment. In the game of basketball, there are not very many people who can create shots for themselves and their teammates.
“When they have physically bumped, he has the strength, the hand-eye coordination and the concentration that he can take a bump and still finish.”
Challenged by the Eagles
Despite the loss, Boston College shot for a high 51.9% (28-of-54) from the field and 40% (9-of-22) from 3-point range. The Eagles were also 68% from the line, downing 11-of-16 attempts. Jaden Zackery led in points with 19.
Fouls limited the Eagles as they committed 24 personals in the game and six different players had three fouls. Boston College had committed only 11 in its last meeting with FSU on Feb. 6.
“This team [Boston College] is very challenging to prepare for because they’re such good perimeter shooters,” Hamilton said. “Which means that when you have to contest shots that far out that opens up the middle for guys to be competing and really isolated in the post.”
The Seminoles improve to 14-12 overall and 8-7 in ACC play and snap a three-game losing streak. Their last win before this game was at Boston College on Feb. 9.
FSU travels to Clemson on Saturday at 7:45 p.m.
The Tigers lost to NC State, 78-77 on Saturday.
Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on X @jackgwilliams.
