Red-hot Florida State routs No. 20 Clemson

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Balsa Koprivica had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double and Florida State pulled away early in an 80-61 rout of No. 20 Clemson on Saturday.

Sardaar Calhoun added a career-best 13 points for Florida State (9-2, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), which has won four straight games. Calhoun made 4 of 5 3-pointers.

John Newman III scored 12 points for Clemson (9-4, 3-4), which has lost three straight.

Florida State used a 15-2 run early to take a commanding 24-9 lead with 9:16 until halftime. The Seminoles prevented dribble drives and cruised to a 42-24 lead at the half.

Through 20 minutes, Clemson had more turnovers (seven) than made shots (4 of 24). The Tigers were 14 of 16 from the free-throw line, helping to keep them in the game.

Clemson shot 17 of 56 (30.4%) from the floor and 5 of 30 (16.7%) from 3-point range. The Tigers' three straight losses — to Virginia, at Georgia Tech and at Florida State — have all been by double figures.

Florida State made 29 of 60 (48.3%) from the floor and 12 of 28 (42.9%) from 3-point range. The Seminoles are 4-0 since going two weeks between games due to coronavirus protocols, getting wins over NC State, North Carolina, at Louisville and Clemson.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Clemson will likely drop out of the top 25. Florida State is 4-0 in the last 11 days and could jump from receiving votes to ranked on Monday when the new top 25 is released.

TAKEAWAYS

Clemson misfired badly from 3-point range early, making just 2 of 16 (12.5%) from beyond the arc in the first half. The Tigers trailed by double figures most of the game and couldn’t catch up.

Florida State showed off its depth as 11 players scored, avenging a 77-67 loss at Clemson on Dec. 29. The Seminoles have not lost to Clemson in Tallahassee since Feb. 4, 2015.

UP NEXT

Clemson will play host to Boston College on Tuesday.

Florida State will play host to Miami on Wednesday.

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