Florida State University Athletics
Monday, November 4
Tallahassee, Fla.
7:00 p.m.
Florida State
1-0,0-0ACC
74
vs
62
Northern Kentucky University
0-1,0-0Horizon
1
2
F
Northern Ky.
31
31
62
Florida St.
43
31
74
Watkins, Bol Bowen Lead Seminoles To 74-62 Win Over Northern Kentucky
11/4/2024 10:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE – Senior Jamir Watkins and sophomore Taylor Bol Bowen scored 17 points each to lead 10 Seminoles in the scoring column as Florida State posted a 74-62 season-opening win over Northern Kentucky at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The victory was Seminole head coach Leonard Hamilton's 20th opening game victory as he began his 23rd season as Florida State's head coach.
The scoring effort for Watkins marked his 20th consecutive double figure scoring game – a streak that began on January 6, 2024, against Wake Forest. Watkins surpassed 1,050 career points against the Norse. He has now scored 1,053 career points. Watkins tied his career high of four steals.
The 17 points for Bol Bowen ranks as his career-high as he nearly doubled his previous career-best of nine points against North Florida and at Boston College during his freshman season.
Bol Bowen had his best game in his first career start. He led the Seminoles in scoring in the first half with 15 points. He made five of nine shots from the field and was a perfect seven of seven from the free throw line. In addition to scoring a career-high 17 points, he made his career-high of seven free throws and tied his career high with two blocked shots.
Florida State's starting line-up tonight consisted of Chandler Jackson, Bol Bowen, Watkins, Bostyn Holt, and Malique Ewin. Bol Bowen, Holt, and Ewin made their first career Florida State starts. The Seminoles' lineup created an instant energy for the home team, contributing 42 of the Seminoles' 74 points. A total of 10 Florida State players scored which contributed to the victory.
"I thought we were able to get a lot of guys in the game during critical parts and have input in the game," said Hamilton. "At one time we had three or four freshmen on the floor gaining some experience."
Jackson earned a career-high four steals, helping the team capitalize and turnovers and turn into points on the board. Florida State totaled 14 steals and scored 22 points off of 22 Northern Kentucky turnovers.
Sophomore Jerry Deng led the team in three-pointers – with nine points on three made 3-point shots. He also earned a career-high tying three steals.
In the first meeting between Florida State and Northern Kentucky, the Norse were led by guard Josh Dilling, who scored 18 points.
"We were aggressive tonight, that's an area of the game that we are trying to improve on," said Hamilton.
The Seminoles head to Houston, Texas, Saturday, November 9, at 7:00 pm to take on Rice University in the Toyota Center. This game is a part of The Battleground 2K24 and can be on ESPN+.
Season tickets for Florida State's home games are now on sale for as low as $150. Seminole fans interested in purchasing tickets for all regular season home games at the Donald L. Tucker Center can learn more here, or are encouraged to call the Florida State Ticket Office at 1-888-FSU-NOLE. Non-conference single-game tickets are now available for purchase. ACC single-game tickets will go on sale to Seminole Booster members on December 2nd.
The scoring effort for Watkins marked his 20th consecutive double figure scoring game – a streak that began on January 6, 2024, against Wake Forest. Watkins surpassed 1,050 career points against the Norse. He has now scored 1,053 career points. Watkins tied his career high of four steals.
The 17 points for Bol Bowen ranks as his career-high as he nearly doubled his previous career-best of nine points against North Florida and at Boston College during his freshman season.
Bol Bowen had his best game in his first career start. He led the Seminoles in scoring in the first half with 15 points. He made five of nine shots from the field and was a perfect seven of seven from the free throw line. In addition to scoring a career-high 17 points, he made his career-high of seven free throws and tied his career high with two blocked shots.
Florida State's starting line-up tonight consisted of Chandler Jackson, Bol Bowen, Watkins, Bostyn Holt, and Malique Ewin. Bol Bowen, Holt, and Ewin made their first career Florida State starts. The Seminoles' lineup created an instant energy for the home team, contributing 42 of the Seminoles' 74 points. A total of 10 Florida State players scored which contributed to the victory.
"I thought we were able to get a lot of guys in the game during critical parts and have input in the game," said Hamilton. "At one time we had three or four freshmen on the floor gaining some experience."
Jackson earned a career-high four steals, helping the team capitalize and turnovers and turn into points on the board. Florida State totaled 14 steals and scored 22 points off of 22 Northern Kentucky turnovers.
Sophomore Jerry Deng led the team in three-pointers – with nine points on three made 3-point shots. He also earned a career-high tying three steals.
In the first meeting between Florida State and Northern Kentucky, the Norse were led by guard Josh Dilling, who scored 18 points.
"We were aggressive tonight, that's an area of the game that we are trying to improve on," said Hamilton.
The Seminoles head to Houston, Texas, Saturday, November 9, at 7:00 pm to take on Rice University in the Toyota Center. This game is a part of The Battleground 2K24 and can be on ESPN+.
Season tickets for Florida State's home games are now on sale for as low as $150. Seminole fans interested in purchasing tickets for all regular season home games at the Donald L. Tucker Center can learn more here, or are encouraged to call the Florida State Ticket Office at 1-888-FSU-NOLE. Non-conference single-game tickets are now available for purchase. ACC single-game tickets will go on sale to Seminole Booster members on December 2nd.
Team Stats
NKU
FSU
FG%
.388
.444
3FG%
.250
.182
FT%
.739
.778
RB
35
32
TO
22
12
STL
7
14
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballGuard
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