Veterans Walker, Gray lead Seminoles to 82-75 win over North Carolina
Despite leaving the game briefly after turning his ankle in the second half, senior guard M.J. Walker delivered another impressive performance Saturday afternoon to lead the Florida State men's basketball team to an 82-75 victory against visiting North Carolina.
Walker scored 14 points in the first half and finished with 21, as the Seminoles improved to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the ACC, and the Tar Heels fell to 8-5 and 3-3.
Florida State also got 19 points from junior RaiQuan Gray and 10 points apiece from Balsa Koprivica, RayQuan Evans and Malik Osborne, as the Seminoles defeated the Tar Heels for the second consecutive season.
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Box Score: FSU 82, North Carolina 75
It was the Seminoles' second straight win after losing two of three games in late December and then going 15 days between games due to COVID-19 protocols.
"I think we're starting to get a little more relaxed and play a little better," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said.
Walker, who also scored 19 points on Wednesday against N.C. State, has now reached double-figures in eight of nine games this season.
In winning their 20th consecutive home game against ACC opponents, the Seminoles came through with another brilliant performance at the free-throw line, connecting on 26 of 27 shots. That comes on the heels of making all 11 of their free throws against the Wolfpack.
This victory was much harder-fought than that blowout, however.
With Florida State's defense collapsing on North Carolina's talented big men, the Tar Heels kept things close by hitting a slew of 3-pointers. Despite coming into the game shooting just 29 percent from long range, UNC hit 10 of 24 (41.7 percent) on Saturday.
The Tar Heels were led by freshman guards RJ Davis and Kerwin Walton with 16 and 14 points, respectively.
But Florida State did a very good job of defending the post and also battling the larger Tar Heels on the boards. UNC came into the game ranked No. 2 nationally in rebound margin at plus-13 and No. 1 in offensive rebounding, but the Seminoles actually claimed a 30-29 advantage overall.
"There's no doubt we were able to hold our own against the No. 1 rebounding team in the country," Hamilton said.
Koprivica led all players with nine boards.
Florida State was playing without star freshman Scottie Barnes, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.
The Seminoles will have a quick turnaround before hitting the road to face No. 16 Louisville on Monday.
Stay connected with Warchant.com for complete postgame coverage.
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