The Seminoles lost at home to the N.C. State Wolfpack on Saturday 72-63, dropping to 9-9 overall and 1-4 in conference play. FSU struggled in the first half to get any real kind of rhythm offensively and was down 12 points at halftime 42-30.
In the second half, the Seminoles settled down and went to work on chipping the lead, with Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Montay Brandon getting hot, picking good spots and converting chances. By the third media timeout, the N.C. State lead was just five, and a few moments later walk-on Brandon Allen’s put back completed the comeback and tied the game at 60.
Sadly, the fans ultimately left the Tucker Center disappointed when nothing good happened after that as the more-talented Wolfpack simply decided to put the game away, outscoring the Seminoles 12-3 over the final three minutes.
Montay Brandon led Florida State scorers with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Rathan-Mayes was solid with 15 points and rounding out with five assists and five rebounds. Devon Bookert was the last Seminole in double figures with 11.
Trevor Lacey scored 17 points to pace N.C. State (13-6, 4-2 ACC) while Ralston Turner added 15.
The Seminoles will travel Monday to take on the Clemson Tigers. The Wolfpack will stay in the state of Florida to face Miami on Thursday night.
