FSU men's basketball led by as many as 23 points, and held off a late Pitt rally to win, 75-74, on Wednesday, a fifth consecutive road victory.
Florida State men's basketball overcame a poor second-half shooting performance to hold off Pitt and win a fifth consecutive road game 75-74 on Wednesday, March 4.
The Seminoles (16-14, 9-8 ACC) shot 36% from the field in the second half at the Peterson Events Center, and scored just two field goals in the final five minutes of play as they hung on to hold off a surging Panthers team.
FSU is now 9-3 in the last 12 games, and has won five consecutive ACC road games, the first time the program has done that since the 1991-92 season. The Seminoles' season turnaround has them in a position to earn a first-round bye in the ACC tournament.
FSU led by as many as 23 in the second half, but went cold after making the first three baskets of the second half, and Pitt went on a 20-7 run to cut FSU's lead to four before a key LaJae Jones three made it 71-63.
Trailing 73-66, Pitt scored five points in eight seconds in the final minute of play to cut FSU's lead to two points with nine seconds left after a pair of free throws and an inbounds turnover from Cam Miles that led to a Demarco Minor three.
Despite the late scare, a pair of free throws from Robert McCray V with five seconds left iced the game for FSU, even with a miraculous last-second three from Minor to make it a one-point game before the final buzzer.
"That second half was very problematic in a lot of different ways. Giving up 44 points, we gave up way too many uncontested looks at the basket, uncontsted three point shots. And to give up 14 offensive rebounds throughout the game is unacceptable, and that will get you beat," FSU head coach Luke Loucks told reporters postgame.
"Happy for the win, but there is a lot to clean up."
McCray finished the night with 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists, and his 14 points were enough for him to reach 1,600 career points. FSU led the game wire-to-wire.
Chauncey Wiggins scored 18, including 11 first-half points, and he added five rebounds. Jones finished the game with 18 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
Pitt's Barry Dunning Jr. scored a game-high 26 points, while adding 10 rebounds for a double-double.
The Seminoles got seven first-half points from AJ Swinton, who left the game with a leg injury after he landed awkwardly following a chase-down block. He was later spotted on the ACC Network broadcast on crutches with a member of the athletic training staff.
FSU was outrebounded by Pitt 37-35, and turned the ball over 11 times compared to Pitt's nine. The Seminoles, however, found success inside, scoring 32 points in the paint, which included five dunks and nine layups.
What's next for FSU basketball? Season finale against SMU
A showdown with the Mustangs awaits FSU in the regular season finale, and the game has ACC tournament seeding ramifications for both programs.
SMU lost to Miami on Wednesday, which puts them 10th in the ACC standings, outside of the first-round bye positions. The Seminoles are currently eighth in the conference and would earn a first-round bye as the top-nine seeds earn a bye in the tournament.
This will be the second meeting between the programs this season. SMU held off FSU, 83-80, in the first meeting.
- When: Saturday, March 4 / 2 p.m.
- Where: Donald L. Tucker Center / Tallahassee, Florida
- Watch: ACC Network
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU men's basketball holds off Pitt for 75-74 win on the road
Category: General Sports
