FSU basketball: Noles fall against Pittburgh for fifth consecutive loss

FSU basketball (13-10, 6-7 ACC) played one of the ugliest halves I’ve ever witnessed Wednesday night and the second half wasn’t much better as they lost 56-51.

It’s their fifth consecutive loss. FSU shot 17.9 percent in the first half, went 2 of 11 from three-point land, went 8 of 13 from the free-throw line, and had six turnovers for a 21-20 halftime deficit. Caleb Mills and Matthew Cleveland had 14 of FSU’s 20 points in the first half.

Pittsburgh wasn’t any better, shooting 25 percent overall and 2 of 13 from three-point land, and 5 of 9 from the free-throw line.

FSU’s defense forced seven turnovers and squandered several opportunities to build a first-half lead.

The second half saw Pittsburgh’s Ithiel Horton catch fire from the three-point line. Horton finished the game 7 of 13 from three-point land and had 25 points. Pittsburgh built an eight-point lead behind Horton’s efforts with 12:20 remaining.

FSU’s struggles on the offensive end continued with Cleveland and Mills as the only offensive options. FSU struggled to get anything going offensively, mostly settling for jump shots, but missed layups and didn’t shoot a free throw in the second half until a technical foul for hanging on the rim after a dunk with 7:35 remaining. The free-throw cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 41-38. A Cameron Fletcher layup tied the game at 41-41 with 5:22 remaining.

However, Pittsburgh opened a 46-41 lead with 3:24 remaining. The Noles cut the lead to 49-46 on a Wyatt Wilkes three-point shot. However, Jamarius Burton took over with nine points in the last three minutes to secure the victory.

FSU basketball had their opportunities and missed some wide-open shots, while Pittsburgh made some clutch shots down the stretch. FSU shot 28.6 percent overall and 12 of 18 from the free-throw line. It’s the second consecutive game where missed free throws have cost them.

Their NCAA Tournament hopes are over, and winning the ACC Tournament is their only hope to make it in at this point.