FSU basketball: Noles pick up first win of the season over Mercer

FSU basketball (1-4) has gotten off to a rough start in the 2022-23 season. The Noles lost their first four games, including three in the Tucker Center, where they have been impervious to losses for the better part of the last few years.

The team has dealt with inexperience, injuries, and at times, a lack of hustle rebounding the ball and other little things that impact games. However, they finally put it all together to get their first win of the season in an 81-72 win over the Mercer Bears (2-3) on the road Monday night.

FSU shot 46 percent from the floor, out-rebounded Mercer, shot 46 percent from beyond the arc, made 18 of 25 free throws, and only turned the ball over seven times.

Cam’Ron Fletcher led the Noles with 23 points on 9-12 shooting and 3-3 from three-point land. He also chipped in with six rebounds.

Matthew Cleveland had a big game with 18 points and three rebounds. Naheem McLeod had eight points, nine rebounds, and five blocks.

Caleb Mills had 12 points, and Jalen Warley had eight points, four rebounds, and three assists on he night.

The Noles led 42-34 at halftime but blew another big halftime lead for the second straight game before pulling away late.

Mercer actually took the lead with 11:23 remaining in the game. It was a back-and-forth affair, with the Noles finally pulling away in the final three minutes behind some excellent free throw shooting down the stretch.

Leonard Hamilton played 10 guys, with seven playing 10 minutes or more. Here’s to hoping he can begin establishing a set rotation and build some chemistry with this team.

The Noles will be back in action Thanksgiving morning at 11 a.m. against Siena (2-2). The game will air on ESPN2 and will take place at State Farm Fieldhouse in Kissimmee, Florida.