Florida State was back to its cardiac ways on Wednesday night as the Seminoles again fell behind by double-digits, but this time, the comeback fell short as Clemson topped FSU 62-56 at the Donald L. Tucker Center.
The Tigers (14-8, 6-4 ACC) took control of the game with a 10-0 run to close the first half and give Clemson a 27-21 halftime lead. The stretch became an 18-4 run as Clemson extended the lead to 10 early in the second half. Florida State (12-11, 4-6 ACC) was never able to get any closer than four until the game’s final minute.
Thanks to a stretch where Clemson missed seven of eight free throws, Florida State was able to cut what was a 57-48 lead with 1:34 left to 58-56 with 29 seconds to play after consecutive layups by Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Boris Bojanovsky and a pair of free throws by Devon Bookert.
The Tigers however, were able to put the game away with consecutive free throw makes from both Josh Smith and Jordan Roper to earn their second straight victory in Tallahassee.
Rathan-Mayes, who came in as Florida State’s leading scorer, finished with a game-high 15 points while Bojanovsky recorded his second double-double of the season with 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Bookert added 10 points for the Seminoles, who finished just 36 percent shooting from the field with 17 turnovers.
Jaron Blossomgame paced Clemson with 14 points while Donte Grantham and Roper each added 13. Smith chipped in with 8 points and a team-high 8 rebounds in the victory.
After three straight home games, Florida State will hit the road Saturday to take on Virginia Tech. Clemson will head further south to take on Miami on Sunday night.
