Jamir Watkins scored 19 points as Florida State beat North Carolina State 90-83 in Tallahassee, Fla., putting a serious dent in the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament hopes.
The Seminoles (15-13, 9-8 ACC) shot 59.7 percent from the floor and won for the fourth time in 10 games.
NC State (17-11, 9-8), which was No. 77 in the NET rankings going into the game, lost for the fourth time in six games.
The Seminoles displayed a balanced attack as eight players scored at least seven points.
Jayden Taylor hit a 3-pointer from the wing to trim the Wolfpack’s deficit to 66-64 with 8:31 left in the game. Primo Spears hit a jumper in the lane to give the Seminoles a 78-68 lead with 4:29 left, capping a 12-4 run.
Spears scored 14 points and Cameron Corhen added 11 for FSU.
Five NC State players scored in double figures, led by Taylor’s game-high 24 points. Casey Morsell scored 19, DJ Horne added 15, Mohamed Diarra chipped in 13 and Ben Middlebrooks finished with 12 for the Wolfpack.
Florida State took a 41-33 lead into halftime after shooting 58.1 percent from the floor. Darin Green Jr. and Watkins led the Seminoles with eight points apiece.
Florida State outscored NC State 22-14 in the paint before halftime.
The Wolfpack led only once in the game, taking a 13-12 lead with 13:07 left in the first half.
The game was the only meeting between the schools this season. NC State leads the all-time series 32-31.
–Field Level Media