Florida State University Athletics
Florida State
Auburn
Ponder Records Double-Double in Exhibition Win for Seminoles
10/14/2026 10:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Marcis Ponder registered 13 points and 21 rebounds as Florida State defeated Auburn 82-71
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Florida State men's basketball team defeated the Auburn Tigers 82-71 on Wednesday night in its first exhibition game of the season at the Ballin in Boutwell preseason event inside the historic Boutwell Auditorium.
Freshman Marcis Ponder scored 13 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to record his first double-double during his first action in a Florida State jersey. He also recorded three blocks. Ponder was one of four Seminoles to score double-digit points.
Junior Kam Taylor led Florida State with 19 points and recorded four steals. Sophomore Shon Abaev added 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Sebastian Rancik rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points.
Florida State held Auburn to just 28.6 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from behind the arc and outscored the Tigers 50-34 in the second half.
A tightly contested first half saw the Seminoles holding a 14-13 lead with 11:16 remaining in the first half.
Anthony Robinson II banked home a three which sparked an 8-0 run for Florida State, taking a 22-13 lead with just over eight minutes in the half.
A made 3-pt shot by Tahaad Pettiford cut the Seminoles lead to six, 22-16. The Tigers outscored Florida State 19-6 over the next six minutes and took a 32-28 lead with just under three minutes in the half.
The Seminoles trailed 32-37 at halftime.
The Tigers held a 46-41 lead with 14:50 left in the game. A jumper from Elisèe Assui sparked a 10-2 Florida State run, and gave the Seminoles a 53-48 lead with 11:20 in the second half and they never relinquished the lead from that point.
Florida State returns to the Tucker Center for its last exhibition game against LSU on Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 PM.
For more information on Florida State men's basketball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, and keep up with the team on social media through Twitter/X (@FSUHoops), Instagram (@FSUHoops) and Facebook (@FSUMBasketball).
