FSU basketball builds a big first-half lead but survives late against Boston College

Despite building a 15-point lead in the first half, FSU basketball held on late in Chestnut Hill. With time winding down and Boston College with the last possession, the Seminole's strong defensive performance would save them, preventing the Eagles from getting a shot off before time expired.

The Boston College Eagles, led by Quinten Post (12) with a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds, were able to mount a comeback and stop this game from getting ugly early. Any time the Seminoles attempted to separate, the Eagles would tighten the game again.

Most of the Seminole's offense would come from Boston College's many turnovers. Much of their early lead was due to the Seminoles' eleven points off turnovers. The Seminoles would also find scoring from some unlikely contributors throughout the contest.

Taylor Bol Bowen (10) was one of those unlikely names at the top of the Seminoles score sheet as he flashed against the Eagles. He had a stretch of play in the second half where he scored a jump shot in the paint, had a block in transition, tallied an offensive rebound, and added a steal that would lead to points.

Bowen seems to be finding his footing in ACC play as he finished with nine points, four rebounds, and two assists. Similarly, Josh Nickleberry (20) would total seven points as he found himself contributing to the Seminole cause during key stretches.

FSU's scoring leader, Jahmir Watkins (2), would again lead the Seminoles with 10 points in the contest. It was a total team effort as almost all of the Seminoles that played contributed over five points each.

Primo Spears (23) would be the only Seminole held out of the scoring completely. This anomalous performance would break a run of six straight games with double-digit points.

Alternatively, Boston College would find scoring from only five players, four of whom finished the game in double figures. Post, Devin McGlockton (21), Jaeden Zackery (3), and Mason Madsen (45) were the weapons the Eagles relied upon.

That was the case at both ends of the floor for Boston College as Post, Zackery, and McGlockton all played 35 minutes or more. That may explain the discrepancy in the points-off-turnovers statistic as the Seminoles had 19 and the Eagles had only five.

That would prove to be paramount as FSU would shoot 43 percent from the field, including a dismal 26 percent from three. Florida State only made two of four free throws for 50 percent.

Boston College would also struggle offensively shooting 40 percent from the field. However, the Eagles would better the Seminoles in other categories as they shot 29.6 percent from three and 100 percent on six shots from the foul line.

FSU would oppositely lead in key defensive statistics as they held a 13-6 advantage in steals over the Eagles, out-blocked Boston College five to three, and only had 11 turnovers compared to BC's 15.

All stats compiled from ESPN.com.