Florida State University Athletics

Saturday, December 7
Raleigh, NC
4:00 p.m.

Florida State

7-3,0-1ACC

74
at
84

NC State University

6-3,1-0ACC

1
2
OT 1
F
Florida St.
33
37
4
74
NC State
35
35
14
84
Jamir Watkins

NC State Tops Florida State, 84-74, in overtime in ACC Opener for Both Teams

12/7/2024 8:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball

RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State outscored Florida State 14-4 in overtime and defeated the Seminoles by an 84-74 margin at the Lenovo Center in the ACC season opener for both teams. The loss ended an NCAA record 14 consecutive overtime game winning streak by the Seminoles which began during the 2018 season. Guard Dontez Styles scored seven points in the overtime period to lead the Wolfpack to the victory.
 
Senior Jamir Watkins led Florida State with a stellar performance, scoring 24 points and dishing out three assists. Watkins, junior Malique Ewin (career-high 23 points and nine rebounds), and freshman Daquan Davis (11 points) led the Seminoles in scoring.
 
Florida State took its first lead of the game at 49-47 after a three-pointer by Justin Thomas at the 12:39 mark.
 
The Seminoles led 68-64 with 2:15 remaining in regulation before the Wolfpack outscored the Seminoles 6-2 to tie the game at 70-70 and force overtime. 
 
NC State then scored nine of the first 11 points of the overtime period to take the upper hand in the extra session. The Seminoles were only able to cut the deficit to five as the Wolfpack scored 14 of the 18 total points scored in the overtime period.
 
The Seminoles' full-court press defense proved effective, forcing NC State 10 turnovers which they converted into nine points. The Seminoles were limited to four steals and four blocked shots in the game.
 
Watkins was nearly automatic from the line, sinking 14 of 15 free throws, including two clutch shots with 12 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 70-70 and send it into overtime.
 
As a team, the Seminoles made 25 of 29 free throws and shot a season-high .862 from the line.
 
After trailing by eight points and never leading in the first half, the Seminoles clawed their way back in to the game.  Florida State narrowed its first half deficit to just two points after a clutch jumper by Davis with 31 seconds remaining, narrowing its deficit to 35-33 at the break.
 
In the second half, Florida State gained their first lead of the game at 49-47 after a three-pointer by Justin Thomas at the 12:39 mark. The Seminoles' full-court press defense proved effective, forcing NC State into seven turnovers.
 
NC State's Marcus Hill led the Wolfpack with 23 points, sealing the victory in the extra period.
 
Florida State now looks ahead to their next matchup on December 14, 2024, when they face Tulane in the Orange Bowl Classic at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL. The Seminoles, who boast a 7-3 record this season, have excelled in this event historically, holding a 9-4 record in Orange Bowl Classic games.
 
The Seminoles have dominated their series against Tulane, winning six of the last seven meetings and leading the all-time series 26-12. Their last victory over the Green Wave came in an 85-79 win on February 2, 1991, during their shared tenure in the Metro Conference.
 
Florida State hopes to continue their strong start and build momentum as they head into the heart of their season.
 
DC Tony White: “That’s what Florida State is about”
Sunday, September 07
OC Gus Malzahn: "We’ve got some play makers"
Sunday, September 07
Behind the Mic | FSU Football with Jeff Culhane | East Texas A&M
Sunday, September 07
FSU Football | East Texas A&M Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, September 06