Clemson dominates on the boards, downs Florida State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 20th January, 18:44 2024

Jan 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Darin Green Jr (22) pressures Clemson Tigers center PJ Hall (24) during the first half at Donald L. Tucker Center. credits: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Hunter scored 14 points and P.J. Hall added 13 as visiting Clemson surged to a 78-67 victory over Florida State on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Tigers (13-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) dominated defensively and on the glass, especially in the second half, as they outrebounded Florida State 39-22 for the game and 21-8 in the final 20 minutes. After allowing 93 points in a double-overtime loss to Georgia Tech on Wednesday, Clemson allowed its second-fewest points of the season.

Hunter scored 10 points in the second half when Clemson outscored Florida State 48-37 and shot 60.9 percent. Hall made 5 of 13 shots as Clemson shot 51 percent overall.

Josh Beadle contributed 12 off the bench and Joseph Girard III chipped in 10 as the Tigers overcame an eight-point deficit midway through the first half.

Florida State (11-7, 5-2) was unable to get its sixth straight win and struggled to consistently make shots. The Seminoles shot 40.7 percent, went 4-for-18 on 3-point tries and were held under 70 points for the sixth time this season.

Jamir Watkins led the Seminoles by scoring 13 of his 15 points in the second half. Darin Green Jr. added 13 and Primo Spears contributed 12, but the duo combined to make 8-of-23 shots.

The Seminoles started strong, taking a 21-13 lead on a jumper by Chandler Jackson with 10:17 left. Clemson outscored Florida State 17-9 over the rest of the half and forged a 30-30 tie by halftime on Jack Clark's putback with 1:02 left.

Clemson led for the final 19:21 after Hall's jumper snapped the halftime tie and the Tigers gradually pulled away.

The Tigers ripped off nine consecutive points for a 49-40 lead on two free throws by Chase Hunter with 11:35 left and then opened a 56-46 advantage on Dillon Hunter's 3 with 8:14 left. A 3 by Girard and a layup by Beadle made it 65-52 with 5:54 remaining.

The Seminoles never got the deficit under nine the rest of the way and Clemson made nine free throws in the final three-plus minutes.

—Field Level Media

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