Offensive woes continue, but FSU basketball wins 75-64

After surviving a scare vs Florida Atlantic, we hoped that FSU would come out focused and ready to put away a bad Charleston Southern team. Instead, the Noles played what was perhaps their sloppiest half of the season.

FSU had 13 first half turnovers, and 11 of them were unforced.

Complicating things was another cold shooting night, with the Noles making just 1-9 1st half 3-pointers.

Luckily, the Noles defense showed up. Aside from a few breakdowns that led to open 3s or back door cuts, the Seminoles did a good job pressuring CSU at the arc, and funneling their drivers into the help defense. FSU limited the Buccaneers to just 31 points in 40 possessions.

In the 2nd half, the Noles made a brief early run, looking to take over the game. But every time there was a little separation, the Bucs made 3s to cut back into the lead.

The difference maker in the half was Dwayne Bacon. At one point he scored five consecutive field goals for FSU, and ended up 6-9 from the field in the half, and also had eight rebounds.

It was the 3rd straight game where he had stretches of taking over the game.

After Bacon took over, the Noles were able to maintain a relatively comfortable lead for the rest of the game.

In the end, it was FSU 75, CSU 64, in a 77-possession game. The Noles are now 9-2.

Dwayne Bacon led all scorers with 20 points, and completed the double-double with 10 rebounds. Malik Beasley had 16 points and six boards.  Jarquez had 12 and six. Xavier Rathan-Mayes led the team with five assists, and Devon Bookert got credit for four of FSU's nine steals.

FSU made just 3-16 3s for the game.

This is the end of the part of the season where FSU can play poorly and still win. Six of the next eight games are against teams in Pomeroy's top 25, starting with a trip to Florida a week from tomorrow.