Florida State University Athletics
Saturday, January 27
Tallahassee, Fla.
2:00 p.m.
Florida State
12-8,6-3ACC
68
vs
75
North Carolina
17-3,9-0ACC
1
2
F
North Carolina
36
39
75
Florida St.
41
27
68
Seminoles Battle No. 3 Tar Heels; Fall Late 75-68
1/27/2024 6:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Four Seminoles scored in double digits against the No. 3 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels with junior Primo Spears leading the way with 15 points, but Florida State fell 75-68 at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Darin Green Jr. and Jamir Watkins followed with 12 points each, while Chandler Jackson scored 10.
Florida State fought and got back into the game with under four minutes remaining to be played as Jackson made one of two free throws, and Spears a driving layup to close the Seminoles' deficit to 70-68. North Carolina's RJ Davis scored the final five points of the game in the final 44 seconds to seal the win for the visitors.
Energy from both teams and the nearly sold-out crowd was consistent throughout the game for the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the ACC race. The fast-paced, defensive battle saw Florida State earn 11 steals and turn those into 26 points, while North Carolina outscored the Seminoles by a 26-22 margin in the paint. The Seminoles led by eight and the Tar Heels by 11 in a Saturday afternoon matinee that saw four lead changes.
Spears earned his fifth consecutive double-digit scoring game in his first career games against the Tar Heels. He totaled five rebounds. He finished just one shy of his season-best of six rebounds. Spears made a team-leading three 3-point shots in finishing as the Seminoles' leading scorer.
Watkins led the team in steals with his second consecutive three-steal game. He was the second on the team in scoring with 12 points and only missing one free throw (four of five).
After trailing by 11 in the first half, the Seminoles finished the first half on a 19-9 run in the final eight minutes to take a 41-36 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
Watkins and Spears led the Seminoles with 10 first half points each.
Jackson continues to find his role as he earned his second double-digit points game of the season with 10 points. He also had one rebound and one steal for the Seminoles.
"Chandler has a knack for getting below the free throw line and finding a way to put that thing in the basket, and that's not always easy to do," said Hamilton. "That's why he was in the game during that part and I thought he helped us come back."
North Carolina's Hubert Davis came in impressed by the Seminoles and was even more impressed by the end of the game.
"The way Florida State plays defensively, they show their athleticism, and you have to have guys that can create shots," said Davis.
Hamilton was as impressed by the Tar Heels as Davis was by the Seminoles.
"They have a well-balanced squad where they can hurt you from five different places," said Hamilton. "I have to give them credit."
North Carolina was led by senior guard RJ Davis as he scored 24 points for the Tar Heels. Junior Harrison Ingram totaled a double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
This game was bigger than basketball though as it supported Coaches vs. Cancer as teams across the nation played for those who have been affected by the disease. The coaches on both sides wore suits and sneakers in support of the cause.
The Seminoles hit the road next to Louisville to face the Cardinals on Saturday, February 3 at 8:00 pm in the KFC YUM! Center.
Florida State fought and got back into the game with under four minutes remaining to be played as Jackson made one of two free throws, and Spears a driving layup to close the Seminoles' deficit to 70-68. North Carolina's RJ Davis scored the final five points of the game in the final 44 seconds to seal the win for the visitors.
Energy from both teams and the nearly sold-out crowd was consistent throughout the game for the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the ACC race. The fast-paced, defensive battle saw Florida State earn 11 steals and turn those into 26 points, while North Carolina outscored the Seminoles by a 26-22 margin in the paint. The Seminoles led by eight and the Tar Heels by 11 in a Saturday afternoon matinee that saw four lead changes.
Spears earned his fifth consecutive double-digit scoring game in his first career games against the Tar Heels. He totaled five rebounds. He finished just one shy of his season-best of six rebounds. Spears made a team-leading three 3-point shots in finishing as the Seminoles' leading scorer.
Watkins led the team in steals with his second consecutive three-steal game. He was the second on the team in scoring with 12 points and only missing one free throw (four of five).
After trailing by 11 in the first half, the Seminoles finished the first half on a 19-9 run in the final eight minutes to take a 41-36 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
Watkins and Spears led the Seminoles with 10 first half points each.
Jackson continues to find his role as he earned his second double-digit points game of the season with 10 points. He also had one rebound and one steal for the Seminoles.
"Chandler has a knack for getting below the free throw line and finding a way to put that thing in the basket, and that's not always easy to do," said Hamilton. "That's why he was in the game during that part and I thought he helped us come back."
North Carolina's Hubert Davis came in impressed by the Seminoles and was even more impressed by the end of the game.
"The way Florida State plays defensively, they show their athleticism, and you have to have guys that can create shots," said Davis.
Hamilton was as impressed by the Tar Heels as Davis was by the Seminoles.
"They have a well-balanced squad where they can hurt you from five different places," said Hamilton. "I have to give them credit."
North Carolina was led by senior guard RJ Davis as he scored 24 points for the Tar Heels. Junior Harrison Ingram totaled a double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
This game was bigger than basketball though as it supported Coaches vs. Cancer as teams across the nation played for those who have been affected by the disease. The coaches on both sides wore suits and sneakers in support of the cause.
The Seminoles hit the road next to Louisville to face the Cardinals on Saturday, February 3 at 8:00 pm in the KFC YUM! Center.
Team Stats
UNC
FSU
FG%
.414
.435
3FG%
.381
.450
FT%
.792
.455
RB
41
32
TO
17
14
STL
5
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
Guard
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