Florida State Vs Georgia Tech: Seminoles Lead 41-36 at Halftime as Stakes Tighten
Florida State Vs Georgia Tech opened with the Seminoles holding a 41-36 advantage at halftime in Atlanta, a margin that sharpens immediate consequences for both teams. The contest matters now because Florida State is fighting for better ACC tournament placement while Georgia Tech is scrambling to halt a nine-game losing streak.
Florida State Vs Georgia Tech: Halftime runs, shooting and momentum
At the intermission Florida State led 41-36 after Georgia Tech closed the half on a 12-1 run. The Yellow Jackets shot 38% from the field and 37% from three in the first half, while Florida State rallied at moments to build and protect a lead as the clock wound down.
Game action earlier saw Florida State push advantages at several points — the Seminoles led 12-8, then later 26-16 and 40-24 at different stretches in the first half — before Georgia Tech narrowed the gap. The flow of runs illustrates a volatile first half in which short scoring bursts defined possession-by-possession swings.
Tipoff for the matchup was scheduled at Noon ET on the ACC Network, and oddsmakers placed Florida State as a 6. 5-point favorite on Bet, reflecting expectations that the Seminoles would be the stronger side despite the tight halftime score.
Luke Loucks, Kowacie Reeves Jr. and Baye Ndongo: Matchups shaping the second half
Florida State enters the final stretch of its regular season with a 14-14 overall record and a 7-8 mark in ACC play. The Seminoles are coming off an 83-73 loss to Miami that snapped a winning streak against that rival; head coach Luke Loucks framed the next game as a chance to get right after that setback.
Georgia Tech, coached by Damon Stoudamire, arrives at 11-17 overall and 2-13 in the conference. The Yellow Jackets have not won since an upset at NC State on January 17 and are mired in a nine-game losing streak, a slide that greatly reduces their path in the ACC tournament with three regular-season games remaining.
Key players on Georgia Tech include Kowacie Reeves Jr., the Marietta native who averages 14. 7 points per game and leads the team in minutes, and Baye Ndongo, a 6'9" junior averaging 12. 7 points and 8. 3 rebounds with 3. 0 offensive rebounds per game. Georgia Tech’s ability to secure rebounds — highlighted by Ndongo’s offensive glass work — is a direct counter to Florida State’s struggles on the boards in recent contests and will be pivotal in the second half.
ACC tournament implications and standings impact
With three regular-season games left for each side, the immediate effect of this matchup is different for the programs. Florida State is positioned 10th in the conference, one game behind Cal and SMU and tied with Virginia Tech, making each win over the final slate crucial for seeding and the potential of securing a first-round bye in the ACC tournament. What makes this notable is that the Seminoles began conference play 0-5 but have climbed into contention, so a win here would further solidify that recovery.
For Georgia Tech, a loss would all but guarantee elimination from meaningful tournament contention: the Yellow Jackets’ 2-13 ACC record and nine consecutive defeats leave little margin for error with remaining games against Florida State, Cal and Clemson. The cause-and-effect is clear — sustained losing stretches have reduced Georgia Tech’s postseason options, while every FSU victory can directly improve its place in the bracket.
Historic context adds texture: Florida State has not played in Atlanta against Georgia Tech since the 2023-24 season and has struggled on the road in this matchup historically, with a 6-12 record in Atlanta. That record frames the road challenge and explains why a half-game or single possession can carry outsized significance late in the season.
The second half will determine whether Florida State can convert halftime momentum into a win that bolsters its ACC seeding ambitions, or whether Georgia Tech will extend its late run and keep alive a fragile hope of reversing a nine-game skid.
