The Florida State Seminoles returned to the Donald L. Tucker Center on Friday night and beat the Georgia Southern Eagles 98-72. They improved to 3-1 with the win.
FSU delivered one of its most complete second-half performances of the season, pulling away from Georgia Southern with a dominant offensive surge and a disruptive defensive effort. While the Seminoles entered the game facing a Georgia Southern team that, prior to this game, led the Sun Belt in scoring (88 PPG), FSU’s pressure, pace, and timely shot-making ultimately overwhelmed the Eagles in a game that remained competitive through the first 20 minutes.
In a matchup featuring two guard-heavy, three-point-oriented teams, the Seminoles overcame a slow offensive start by forcing turnovers, controlling the tempo, and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. The win offered a clearer look at the Seminoles’ evolving identity—and the depth, pace, and defensive intensity powering it.
Lajae Jones Delivers a Historic Night
The star of the night was undeniably Lajae Jones. Jones broke his career high in points, field goals made, and shattered his personal best for threes made, finishing 10-of-21 from beyond the arc and tying the FSU program record of 10 three-pointers, a mark set by George McCloud in 1989.
Remarkably, all 36 of Jones’ points came from the three-point line and the free-throw line, displaying not only confidence but elite efficiency. Head coach Luke Loucks praised his high basketball IQ and “smooth left-handed stroke,” which was on full display throughout the night.
A Slow, Scrappy First Half Defined by Defense
Georgia Southern—normally a fast-starting, high-octane offense—opened the game 0-for-5 from the field, immediately feeling the effects of Florida State’s pressure. Both teams rely heavily on guard play and three-point shooting, but neither side could establish a consistent rhythm early. Missed shots, missed free throws, and physical defense kept scoring low.
FSU’s full-court pressure and active hands once again set the tone. The Seminoles forced 12 first-half turnovers and closed the half on an 8-0 run, turning a tight back-and-forth game into an 11-point advantage. A major storyline was FSU’s ability to neutralize Georgia Southern’s leading scorer, Spudd Webb, who was held to just four points before halftime and six points total on the night.
Robert McCray battled early foul trouble but continued to facilitate effectively, showcasing his playmaking even while limited. The Seminoles shot just 31.8% from three in the first half (7/22), but improved free-throw shooting (11/15) and stout defense kept them in control.
Second-Half Explosion: FSU Scores a Season-High 58 Points
For the second straight game, Florida State flipped a slow first half into an explosive second-half performance. The Seminoles stormed out of the locker room with four forced turnovers in a two-minute span and quickly stretched their lead behind instant offense from McCray V and Jones.
FSU’s pace of play—ranked first in the ACC and 15th nationally—was overwhelming for a Georgia Southern team already gasping under the full-court press. The Seminoles poured in 58 second-half points, their highest second-half output of the season. Kobe McGee added an important scoring punch by attacking the rim rather than relying solely on his perimeter shot. Alex Steen, a former Georgia Southern Eagle, once again served as an offensive-rebounding machine, extending possessions and providing crucial second-chance points.
Defensive Identity Continues to Grow
Loucks’ squad has leaned heavily on defensive effort and conditioning, and that identity showed again. FSU forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 15 points. McCray officially reached 75 career steals, marking another milestone in his development as a two-way leader. The Seminoles also improved in the area that has plagued them most this season—free throws—finishing the half 11-of-15, but fell into a slump ending the game 19-29 from the charity stripe.
Final Thoughts
Four Seminoles scored in double figures, the defense overwhelmed a normally high-scoring opponent, and the offense delivered one of its most explosive halves of the season. With strong scoring efforts from Jones, Cam Miles, Chauncey Wiggins, and McGee, FSU showcased a brand of basketball rooted in pace, pressure, and improving shot-making.
The Seminoles appear to be gaining momentum as they continue their non-conference slate—and if the second half against Georgia Southern is any indication, this team is beginning to find its identity at the perfect time.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU dominates Georgia Southern: Key takeaways from the statement win
Reporting by Brandon Foster, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
