FSU basketball snaps three-game losing skid in eight-point win over BC

The Florida State Seminoles basketball team is riding high after breaking their three-game losing streak and sweeping Boston College.

It felt like a must-win in the 7:00 pm Tuesday contest. Having barely survived their trip to Boston toward the beginning of February, FSU hosted Boston College as they looked to end their ACC free fall.

Opposite of the first contest where the Seminoles broke away early, this matchup was hard to gauge. Boston College and Florida State would exchange the lead as many times as they exchanged baskets.

There were times when the offense was better than the defense for both teams. Players on either end of the court were taking and making hard shots all over the floor as the first half continued its breakneck pace.

There were also moments where the defense left the watcher scratching their head. FSU consistently left quality three-point shooters alone at the arc or in the corner for them to shoot at will.

Another inexcusable defensive faux from Florida State was the amount of goal-tending violations they were committing. The officiating was similarly puzzling as the refs enjoyed the sounds of their whistles all night.

The game may as well have been a Globetrotters vs. Generals show with players sitting on the rim and swatting away shots, free-running alley-oop dunks, and referees fighting with fans.

Despite all of the issues facing Florida State on the night, the game was tied at 41 at halftime. The Seminoles then came out of the break and began to set the tone on both ends of the floor.

Led in scoring by Jahmir Watkins (2), FSU began to break away from their opponent. Watkins would tally 22 points and 11 rebounds in his second double-double.

With Darin Green Jr. (22) out with a shoulder injury and Primo Spears (23) curiously absent out on the floor, young up-start Chandler Jackson (0) was right behind Watkins in scoring with 19 points of his own.

Other Seminoles in double figures include Cam Cohen (3) and Jalen Warley (1) who both added 13 points to the cause.

The team's strong defense would come into play the most as Boston College would turn the ball over or miss on ill-advised shots and Florida State would push the ball down the floor for easy transition points.

Boston College committed 16 turnovers and 25 fouls leading to 42 points for the Seminoles. When half of your points are from gifts from the other team, it makes it hard to lose.

Florida State did their part to ensure their victory as they shot the ball well from three at 38 percent, were competent from the free throw line at 72 percent, and shot 54 percent from the field overall.

Boston College posted similarly good shooting numbers; shooting 51 percent from the field, including 40 percent from three. However, the Eagle's 68 percent shooting from the free throw line didn't help them in overcoming their foul and turnover issues.

The Eagles had four scorers in double digits as well, led by Jaeden Zackery (3) with 19. Quinten Post (12) added a quiet 15 points, Devin McGlockton (21) had 13 points, and Mason Madsen contributed 14 points.

The two sides split rebounds relatively evenly with Florida State tallying 27 and Boston College gathering 29. All were contributing to an 84-76 Florida State win.

The Seminoles now turn their focus to their focus to their remaining five games. They begin this last stretch with a road contest at Clemson, who bested Florida State in the first matchup.

A win will be imperative. Not only to avoid a sweep but for the Seminoles to continue to creep into that ever-important fourth seed.

Tonight's result against Boston College puts the 'Noles within striking distance despite their dismal February. The conference standings have FSU sitting in a three-way tie for fifth with NC State and the loser of Pitt and Wake Forest.

All stats compiled from ESPN.