Florida State builds big lead early, gets by Northern Kentucky

Jamir Watkins and Taylor Bol Bowen poured in 17 points apiece to propel Florida State to a season-opening, 74-62 victory over Northern Kentucky on Monday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

It marked a career-high point total for Bowen, who scored just 3.1 points per game a season ago. He was 5-for-9 from the field and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line on Monday while also pulling down six rebounds.

Northern Kentucky trailed by as many as 17, getting 18 points from Josh Dilling and 12 out of Randall Pettus II.

Watkins set the tone early, drilling a 3-pointer less than a minute into the game before throwing down a dunk off a steal, slamming it home over a defender for a 5-2 lead at the 18:45 mark of the first half.

NKU answered with an 8-0 run, highlighted by Dilling's shot from distance, as the Norse powered in front 10-5 with 16:23 remaining.

Then, down 11-10, the Seminoles ramped up the energy and their level of play.

Jerry Deng knocked down a 3-pointer in transition and then forced a turnover that resulted in a layup by Alier Maluk, who also drew a foul on the play. His ensuing free throw made it 16-11 Florida State with 12:39 to play in the first half.

Florida State soon pushed its lead to 20-13 near the midway point of the period while forcing the Norse to miss eight consecutive shots from the field. Keeyan Itejere ended the drought with a layup at the 10:11 mark.

Bowen's layup gave Florida State its first double-digit lead of the night at 25-15 with 9:36 to go.

Florida State owned the paint in the first half to the tune of a 28-10 advantage in points down low and took a 43-31 lead into halftime.

Watkins made a jumper in transition with 16:40 to play to give the Seminoles a 47-35 lead, and the hosts cruised from there.

Depth proved to be a difference-maker, as Florida State held a commanding 32-21 advantage in bench points.

--Field Level Media