Shon Abaev and Marcis Ponder anchored a dominant Florida State performance as the Seminoles dismantled Troy 91-67 on Friday night in Tallahassee. Abaev led the charge with a team-high 20 points, complemented by seven rebounds and six assists, while the 7-foot freshman Ponder recorded his second consecutive double-double. Ponder contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds, marking his second such feat in just two collegiate games following a 15-point, 11-rebound outing against Florida A&M. The Seminoles established control early, building a 17-5 lead within the first five minutes and never allowing Troy to threaten significantly thereafter.
Seminoles dominate early, extend winning streak with efficient second-half surge.
The first half set the tone for a blowout, with Florida State extending their advantage to 37-23 with just 90 seconds remaining before the break. Sebastian Rancik capped a crucial 7-0 run with a three-pointer to solidify the Seminoles’ lead, which stood at 37-26 at halftime. In the second half, FSU maintained its offensive efficiency, scoring 57 points on 53% field goal shooting. The team’s reliability from the free-throw line was a decisive factor, as the Seminoles finished 34-for-39 from the charity stripe, including 19 made free throws in the final 20 minutes.
Rancik finished with 18 points, while Kameron Taylor added 15 for a perfect 2-0 start to the season. On the other side of the ball, Caden Diggs and Sam Walters each scored 11 points for the Trojans, who fell to 0-2. The victory highlights Florida State’s depth and consistency, with multiple players contributing significantly to the offensive output. As the Seminoles look ahead, their ability to control the pace and execute in high-pressure moments suggests a strong foundation for the remainder of the conference schedule.
Source: Yahoo Sports
