FSU basketball: Noles defeat USC Upstate for second straight win

FSU basketball (3-9) won their second consecutive game Tuesday night with an 80-63 win over USC Upstate (5-5).

The Noles used the same formula used to beat Louisville a few days ago. FSU shot the ball well from the floor (48 percent), three-point land (37.5 percent), and the free-throw line (78 percent).

They only had 13 turnovers and were +4 on the boards, although USC Upstate did have three more offensive rebounds. FSU’s defense held USC Upstate to 33 percent shooting overall, 25 percent from three-point land, and forced 14 turnovers.

It was a game that was relatively close in the first half before the Noles finished with a 9-3 run over the final four minutes near the end of the first half for a 38-31 halftime lead.

The game never got close in the second half, with FSU maintaining at least a nine-point advantage the whole time. Matthew Cleveland led FSU scoring with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Darin Green Jr. checked in with 15 points, and Caleb Mills had 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Naheem McLeod chipped in with 12 points, and Camren Corhen finished those scoring in double digits with 10 and six rebounds.

USC Upstate had one guy to score in double digits, Floyd Rideau Jr. had 20. FSU has been playing better basketball over the past few games, and covering the -14.5 spread is a good sign after FSU lost some games as large favorites earlier this season.

This team will never be great, but it seems like Leonard Hamilton has found some things that work with this group. They also continue to care and play despite the disappointing record this season.

The Noles will play St. Johns’s (10-1) Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET. ESPN’s FPI gives them a 30 percent chance to win the game. It’ll be a solid test, but if they can be competitive, that’s a good sign for Leonard Hamilton’s group.