Florida State Seminoles Dominate Georgia Tech in ACC Basketball Showdown

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida State Seminoles (13-5, 4-3 ACC) secured a decisive 91-78 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-11, 2-6 ACC) at the Donald L. Tucker Center on Saturday afternoon. The Seminoles led from start to finish, marking their sixth win in the last eight games and extending their home winning streak against Georgia Tech to seven consecutive games since February 24, 2018.

Florida State set the tone early, scoring on its first possession and maintaining control throughout the game. The Seminoles led 37-24 at halftime, showcasing efficient offense with 11 assists and just one turnover. They shot 44.1% from the floor and made five of 17 three-point attempts (29.4%). Key contributors in the first half included Watkins, who led with nine points, and Justin Thomas, who grabbed seven rebounds and tied a season-high with four assists.

Georgia Tech struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 26% from the floor and making only two of 14 three-point attempts. Despite trailing, the Yellow Jackets opened the second half with a 10-0 run, cutting the deficit to 37-34 within the first two minutes. However, Florida State’s defense tightened, holding Georgia Tech scoreless for over two minutes and regaining control.

Taylor Bol Bowen emerged as a key player in the second half, hitting crucial three-pointers and scoring eight of FSU’s first 19 points after halftime. Bowen finished with a career-high 20 points, including a highlight-reel alley-oop dunk that capped a 16-3 run. Watkins and Ewin also contributed significantly, each scoring 17 points, with Ewin securing his fourth consecutive double-double.

Georgia Tech’s efforts were hampered by foul trouble and limited roster availability. Big man fouled out, and the team missed four critical free throws during a pivotal stretch. Florida State capitalized, finishing the game with a 9-0 run that included emphatic dunks from Watkins and Bowen.

Overall, the Seminoles shot 52.2% from the floor and outrebounded Georgia Tech 39-32. They also dominated in fast-break points, scoring 23 compared to the Yellow Jackets’ nine. Florida State’s next game is a Wednesday night matchup against Cal (8-9, 1-5 ACC) on the West Coast, televised on ACC Network at 9:00 p.m.