FSU basketball upsets Virginia for 10th straight win

Every game versus Virginia is a slog through the mud, but the ‘Noles were able to overcome UVA’s stifling defense and home crowd to get out to a 10-2 lead. However, from there, it was all ‘Hoos for the rest of the 1st half. Once the Cavaliers settled in, they dominated Florida State, outscoring them 28-13 to take a 30-23 lead at the break.

It seemed like it might be a long, slow, death in the 2nd half.

But Dwayne Bacon wasn’t having any of it.

After an early Virginia three against lazy defense from Bacon, FSU called a timeout, and Bacon pounded the ball into the floor four or five times in frustration.

That’s when he took over.

He scored just three points in the first half, but responded with his best stretch in Garnet and Gold, scoring 26 of FSU’s 37 2nd half points.

With Florida State down two at the final media timeout, Bacon scored seven straight points to give the ‘Noles a five-point advantage at 56-51.

Virginia began fouling, and the strategy paid off. Cold from the stripe all game, FSU couldn’t make enough FTs to keep the lead. With Florida State leading by two, London Perrantes drove baseline and kicked to freshman Kyle Guy, who buried a three with :08 left on the clock.

While a couple of UVA players celebrating, Bacon raced the length of the court and knocked down a stepback three to give FSU the lead again and silence the raucous crowd.

Virginia’s last second heave was short, and the Seminoles win streak reached 10 with a 60-58 victory.

It was just Virginia’s second home ACC loss in 4+ years (35-2).

Bacon led all scorers with a career-high 29 points, knocking down 6-9 3s. Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored all 10 of his points in the first half, while adding four rebounds and three assists against zero turnovers. Jonathan Isaac had five points and a game-high nine rebounds.

FSU now gets a rare week off in conference play. They host Virginia Tech next Saturday, who should be ranked after rolling Duke today in Blacksburg.