Duke freshman McCain pours in 35 points to hand Florida State 76-67 loss
Duke freshman Jared McCain came into Saturday averaging 12.9 points per game.
So, naturally, the Blue Devils’ sharp-shooter went off for a career-high 35 against Florida State in the Tucker Center on Saturday. Led by McCain’s impressive performance, No. 7 Duke cruised to a 76-67 victory over the Seminoles, who have now lost three in a row and five of their last six.
It was the second straight home game an opposing guard scored a career-high against the Seminoles — Virginia’s Isaac McNeely poured in 29 in the Cavaliers’ four-point win a week ago.
McCain almost had that number in the first half alone. The California native scored 25 points — on eight made shots, including seven 3-pointers — to give the Blue Devils a 44-34 lead at halftime.
He finished with eight made 3s by himself. Florida State had four total as a team.
McCain only made one 3-pointer in the second half, but it was maybe the biggest shot of the game. It definitely came during the most pivotal sequence.
With the Seminoles trailing by six and 10 minutes left, Darin Green grabbed a rebound after McCain’s shot was blocked. McCain fell into Green, but after a review and a conversation by the officials, Green was issued a technical foul for apparently staring down McCain after the play and handing the ball to him.
McCain, of course, made the ensuing technical free throws and then buried a 3 immediately after.
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So, instead of FSU being down six with the ball, the Seminoles found themselves down by 11. And they never got within two possessions the rest of the way.
Florida State is now 13-12 overall and 7-7 in the ACC. Duke improves to 20-5 and 11-3.
The Blue Devils recorded 15 offensive rebounds and had a 36-27 edge on the glass overall. The Seminoles had nine blocks and nine steals, but it seemed like during every pivotal sequence in the second half, they just couldn’t grab the loose ball after a block or a deflection.
And the Blue Devils made enough shots and free throws down the stretch to secure the road win.
Jamir Watkins led Florida State with 15 points and four blocks, and Cameron Corhen added 14 points and nine boards for the Seminoles, who play again on Tuesday night at home against Boston College.
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