Florida State basketball (4-1) picked up a bounce-back victory over Hofstra (4-1), 79-61 on Tuesday at the Donald L. Tucker Center.
The Seminoles gave Hofstra its first loss on the season, but the Pride made them earn every basket and proved why they were undefeated prior to Tuesday’s matchup.
FSU led the entire game, but Hofstra was not too far off. At first, it looked like the Seminoles were going to run away with the game when it had an early 8-0 lead.
The Pride caught up with the Seminoles and would cut close to two points. FSU eventually found its offensive rhythm and dominated on the defensive end.
Jamir Watkins led the Seminoles by 15 points, and Malique Ewins scored 13 points in the second half.
FSU basketball winning the turnover battle and free throws
FSU’s were playing fast and generating turnovers on the defensive end. The Seminoles collected 17 turnovers and scored 20 points off Hofstra’s turnovers.
FSU also collected 12 steals. Malique Ewin and Justin Thomas tied for three steals.
The Seminoles had a good from the free throws after making 17 of 22 at the line. Jamir Watkins, FSU’s top scorer, was a perfect 5 for 5 at the line. Taylor Bol Bowen was 3 of 4 and Chandler Jackson made 3 of his five.
FSU is still inconsistent in rebounding, but got better in second half
One reason for FSU’s loss to Florida was rebounding. The Seminoles’ performance has continued to be questionable, and that is why Hofstra was not completely out of it.
The Seminoles led in double figures at the half, but the Pride have been winning the rebound battles 18-14. Four rebounds were on the offensive end, while FSU had only one.
In the second half, FSU rebounded better, with 28, including 10 offensive boards. This led to 15 second-chance points for the Seminoles after only two in the first half.
Ewin set a spark in the second half for the Seminoles with 13 points and five rebounds after going scoreless in the first half.
Hofstra was knocking 3s to keep up with FSU
Neither team struggled to consistently knock down shots from behind the arc. However, Hofstra found its stroke in the second half, making 6 of its last 10 after only shooting 2 of 14 in the first.
After knocking down back-to-back three-pointers in the second half, FSU’s 10-point lead was cut to two points.
FSU finally got in a rhythm, made some three-point jumpers, and reached back in double figures. After a three-point made by Daquon Jones, FSU picked up its largest lead at 61-49 with less than seven minutes to play in the second half.
FSU finished the night recording 45.5 percent from the field.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Here are three takeaways from FSU basketball win over Hofstra
