Florida State’s players gave everything they had against the nation’s No. 1 team — right down to the wire.
But the Seminoles, playing with a short bench and just 22 hours after a win over Cal, couldn’t get enough rebounds and missed a potential game-winning, contested 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Lajae Jones scored 28 points and Robert McCray V added 25 points in FSU’s 80-79 loss to top-seeded Duke on Thursday in the ACC Tournament.
Alex Steen had a block and a rebound with eight seconds to go, giving FSU a final shot. McCray V took it with a hand in his face but the ball rimmed off as time expired.
“Obviously a tough way to finish that game, but I'm so proud of these guys, the way they battled throughout this match,” FSU coach Luke Loucks said. “But most importantly, the way they battled through the second half of this season, in a season where these guys could have easily folded. They came to work every day and tried to find solutions.
“I'm proud to coach this bunch. They have real character. They have real grit. Hopefully, as we build this program, I can continue to bring guys like we had this year on this roster, because it was an absolute joy and pleasure to coach them.”
Isaiah Evans had 32 points and Cameron Boozer had 23 points but Duke had a significant rebounding advantage (46-25). Duke had 22 offensive rebounds that led to 24 second-chance points.
FSU had won four straight games and was seeking a massive March upset to give itself a shot in the ACC Tournament and perhaps to reach the NCAA Tournament’s field of 68. That would have seemed improbable after an 0-5 start, but not with FSU having won 11 of 15 games to set up the FSU-Duke matchup in Charlotte, N.C.
The Seminoles led 44-43 at the half and extended it out of the break, leading by eight, 59-51, with 13:12 after a Robert McCray basket on the fast break. It was the largest lead against Duke in more than two months. But Duke quickly built an 11-2 run and led by nine with 5:58 to go.
FSU cut the deficit down and matched Duke shot for shot, often with Jones matching as he delivered 3-pointers.
Jones shot 8 of 15 from the floor, including 4 of 8 from beyond the arc, and made all eight of his free-throw attempts.
McCray shot 10 of 19 but just 2 of 8 from long range.
Wiggins had 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting.
Steen had eight rebounds.
Thomas Bassong fouled out with five points in 16 minutes. The Seminoles, without AJ Swinton (knee), played just seven one night after putting up 95 points in a win over Cal.
“I'm not a big believer in moral victories, but I am a big believer about doing the right thing,” Loucks said. “To me, our team did the right thing. I'm not talking about tonight's game. I'm talking about this season. I think right now they're beat up. They're hurt. I feel bad. I felt like obviously we played well enough to have a shot to win and have the last-second shot to win.”
Up next
FSU’s chances at the NCAA Tournament were dashed with the loss. The NIT field will be announced later on Sunday night after the NCAA’s field of 68 is set.
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