FSU basketball: Noles take down Georgia Tech for fifth win

FSU basketball (5-11, 3-2 ACC) has had a rough start to the season but continues to work to improve and finish the season strong. The Noles got their fifth win of the season with a 74-65 win over Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon.

The Noles led by as many as 20 points late in the second half, although they were only -2 point betting favorites. It was the final game they’ll have to play without top-tier freshman Baba Miller, who’s served a 16-game NCAA suspension to start the season.

As with all of their wins this year, the Noles played a complete game. They shot 49 percent overall, 10 of 25 from three-point range, and only had nine turnovers. They only shot eight free throws, making five, and were +2 on the boards. Matthew Cleveland continues his strong play with a double-double, 21 points, and 12 rebounds.

The win was No. 600 in Leonard Hamilton’s career.

Darin Green Jr. had 18 points and seven rebounds, and he was 4 of 11 from three-point range. Caleb Mills had 13 points and seven assists.

Defensively, FSU held Georgia Tech to 40 percent shooting and forced 13 turnovers, from which they capitalized on the offensive end several times. Georgia Tech opened strong with an eight-point lead about midway through the first half.

However, the Noles went on a 22-11 run to finish the half with a three-point halftime lead. The Noles never relinquished the lead and gradually built it to 22 points with just over five minutes remaining. It was a great team win with only eight players getting on the court.

The Noles will travel to Wake Forest early next week but could look like a different team, with Baba Miller joining the lineup for the first time this season. The Noles have some winnable games down the backstretch and might have a chance to reach double-digit wins.

That’s something most didn’t think was realistic the way the season started for Leonard Hamilton.