Florida State University Athletics
Watkins' Double-Double Leads Seminoles Over Boston College, 84-76
2/20/2024 11:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE – In a game that featured 10 ties and 20 lead changes, Florida State's Jamir Watkins earned his fifth double-double game with 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Seminoles over Boston College, 84-76, at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Watkins led four Seminoles in double-figure scoring – Watkins, Chandler Jackson, 19 points, Jalen Warley, 13 points and Cam Corhen, 13 points, leading the way for the Seminoles as they gained their eighth ACC victory of the season.
Florida State's Taylor Bol Bowen hit two free throws at the 10:08 mark of the second half to put the Seminoles up 62-61. From there, the Seminoles steadily built their lead and won the game going away. Watkins pushed Florida State's lead 80-68 with 4:27 remaining and the Seminoles maintained a double-figure lead until Donald Hand Jr. scored the final basket of the game for the winning-margin of eight points for Florida State.
"I think tonight's game was a reflection of the focus that our players had on trying to eliminate what we called dips during the game," said Florida State Head Coach Leonard Hamilton.
The first half was action-packed at a shoot-out pace with both teams going into the half tied at 43. Watkins led the Seminoles in scoring in the first half with 12 points on four of five shooting from the field. Jackson, who was in the starting lineup for the first time this season, totaled nine first half points.
Watkins had his fifth double-double of his career and third of the season with his 22 points and 11 rebounds. He led the team with seven made field goals and a career-high tying three 3-point shots. Watkins was a perfect five of five from the free throw line.
Jackson, who was in the Seminoles' starting line for the first time since February 8, 2023 against Syracuse, scored his career-high of 19 points and totaled a career-high tying three steals. He scored 10 second half points to help the Seminoles pull away from the Eagles.
"Chandler is a big, strong guy, and you can't leave him open," said Hamilton. "He takes contact and finishes around the basket, he has a burst of speed that allows him to accelerate and move past people, and he's a much better athlete than maybe you might would think."
Earl Grant, the Eagles' Head Coach, was equally as positive about Jackson's play.
"Chandler Jackson, specifically, did not play a ton of minutes but played a big role in Florida State's win," said Grant. "Jamir Watkins and Jackson really dominated the game from a physical standpoint."
The Seminoles shot .552 from the field in the first half though neither team held more than a five-point lead.
Florida State remained hot in the second half as it shot .545 from the field (12 of 22), .400 from the 3-point line (four of 10) and .813 from the free throw line (13 of 16).
Defensively, Florida State totaled 10 steals for the games and limited Boston College to 33 second-half points.
"I've got to give Florida State credit," said Grant. "They did a good job. They were very well-prepared. Watkins made more threes than he typically makes because of his aggressive driving."
The Eagles of Boston College were led by Jaeden Zackery with 19 points. He was perfect from the 3-point line.
The Seminoles hit the road to Clemson, South Carolina this weekend taking on the Tigers for the second time this season in the Littlejohn Coliseum at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 24.
Florida State's Taylor Bol Bowen hit two free throws at the 10:08 mark of the second half to put the Seminoles up 62-61. From there, the Seminoles steadily built their lead and won the game going away. Watkins pushed Florida State's lead 80-68 with 4:27 remaining and the Seminoles maintained a double-figure lead until Donald Hand Jr. scored the final basket of the game for the winning-margin of eight points for Florida State.
"I think tonight's game was a reflection of the focus that our players had on trying to eliminate what we called dips during the game," said Florida State Head Coach Leonard Hamilton.
The first half was action-packed at a shoot-out pace with both teams going into the half tied at 43. Watkins led the Seminoles in scoring in the first half with 12 points on four of five shooting from the field. Jackson, who was in the starting lineup for the first time this season, totaled nine first half points.
Watkins had his fifth double-double of his career and third of the season with his 22 points and 11 rebounds. He led the team with seven made field goals and a career-high tying three 3-point shots. Watkins was a perfect five of five from the free throw line.
Jackson, who was in the Seminoles' starting line for the first time since February 8, 2023 against Syracuse, scored his career-high of 19 points and totaled a career-high tying three steals. He scored 10 second half points to help the Seminoles pull away from the Eagles.
"Chandler is a big, strong guy, and you can't leave him open," said Hamilton. "He takes contact and finishes around the basket, he has a burst of speed that allows him to accelerate and move past people, and he's a much better athlete than maybe you might would think."
Earl Grant, the Eagles' Head Coach, was equally as positive about Jackson's play.
"Chandler Jackson, specifically, did not play a ton of minutes but played a big role in Florida State's win," said Grant. "Jamir Watkins and Jackson really dominated the game from a physical standpoint."
The Seminoles shot .552 from the field in the first half though neither team held more than a five-point lead.
Florida State remained hot in the second half as it shot .545 from the field (12 of 22), .400 from the 3-point line (four of 10) and .813 from the free throw line (13 of 16).
Defensively, Florida State totaled 10 steals for the games and limited Boston College to 33 second-half points.
"I've got to give Florida State credit," said Grant. "They did a good job. They were very well-prepared. Watkins made more threes than he typically makes because of his aggressive driving."
The Eagles of Boston College were led by Jaeden Zackery with 19 points. He was perfect from the 3-point line.
The Seminoles hit the road to Clemson, South Carolina this weekend taking on the Tigers for the second time this season in the Littlejohn Coliseum at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 24.
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