Florida State University Athletics
Florida State
North Carolina
Seminoles Fall Short At North Carolina, 78-70
12/2/2023 5:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Four different Seminoles finished with double-digit scoring but the Seminoles fell on the road at North Carolina, 78-70 in the first conference game of the season at the Dean E. Smith Center.
Jamir Watkins led the Seminoles with 17 points while converting 50% beyond the three-point arc on six shots. Sophomore Baba Miller equaled his career-best in scoring with 12 points off five total makes.
Watkins was able to create early momentum with double-digit scoring inside the first ten minutes as three huge baskets from beyond three-point land propelled the Seminoles to an early advantage. He led the team in scoring and rebounding with 17 points and eight rebounds with two assists. He also recorded his fifth double-digit scoring game through seven games as a Seminole.
Miller converted nearly 75% of all his shots from the field in a variety of finishes and completed four rebounds. De'Ante Green made his second career start and continued his early season success with 12 points in the second half and recorded three rebounds and assists each. Darin Green Jr. was consistent with his sharpshooting ability as he fired two three pointers in each half to finish with 12 points and four rebounds.
This also marked Green and Green Jr.'s fourth straight game with double-digit scoring as the North Carolina natives are hitting their strides early and consistently this season.
Florida State held the Tar Heels to 29 points in the first half which is the fewest number of points the top-twenty side has scored all season. A 13-2 scoring run by the Seminoles propelled them to a six-point lead at the half. The defense suffocated North Carolina and didn't allow a field goal for nearly ten minutes of play through the middle portion of the game.
North Carolina's RJ Davis was their leading scorer with 27 points and earned his fifth twenty point game of the season while Armando Bacot recorded his 68th career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Florida State will head south next weekend to Sunrise, Fla. for the AutoNation Orange Bowl Classic at Amerant Bank Arena where they'll clash with South Florida on Saturday, December 9 at 1:30 p.m.
