Florida State Survives Cal Scare, Sets Up Duke Showdown at ACC Tournament
Robert McCray V scored 30 points and Florida State held off a second-half California charge Wednesday night, winning 95-89 to advance to the ACC Tournament quarterfinals at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
McCray Carries Seminoles When It Mattered Most
The No. 8 seed Seminoles built a commanding first-half lead but nearly gave it back. Florida State led 46-32 at halftime — then Cal outscored them 57-49 in the second half, turning what looked like a blowout into a tense final ten minutes.
McCray was the reason FSU held on. The guard finished 10-of-17 from the field, hit four threes, and added eight assists against just three turnovers. That 30-point, eight-assist line was the backbone of a Florida State offense that shot 57.4% for the game — well above the Seminoles' season average of 43.3%.
Guard Lajae Jones added 15 points and three steals. Kobe MaGee contributed 13 off the bench, going 4-of-8 from three.
Cal Couldn't Overcome 12 Turnovers
The No. 9 seed Golden Bears had the weapons to make it ugly late. Dai Dai Ames dropped 27 points on 50% shooting, while Justin Pippen added 15 and six assists. Lee Dort pulled down 18 rebounds — more than half of Cal's team total — but those second chances couldn't overcome a turnover problem that cost the Bears dearly.
Cal committed 12 turnovers to FSU's six. Florida State converted those miscues into 20 points off turnovers. In a six-point game, that margin was the difference.
Cal entered the tournament at 21-10 overall, 9-9 in ACC play, a bubble team with NCAA Tournament implications riding on its performance in Charlotte. That bid is now in serious jeopardy.
Florida State Basketball Now Faces Top-Seeded Duke
The win sets up a quarterfinal collision that few penciled in at the start of the week. No. 1 seed Duke faces No. 8 seed Florida State Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Florida State entered the ACC Tournament at 17-14 overall and 10-8 in conference play — a team that needed this tournament run to salvage a disappointing regular season. Wednesday's efficient offensive showing, particularly the 46.4% clip from three-point range, gives the Seminoles a credible argument that they can compete with anyone in Charlotte.
Duke, the tournament's top seed, won the ACC title in 2025 and enters as the clear favorite to repeat. But FSU showed Wednesday it can score — 95 points on 61 field goal attempts, with 40 points in the paint alongside 13 threes — and a fully locked-in McCray is capable of going for another 30.
ACC Tournament Picture Taking Shape
Wednesday's results clarified the quarterfinal bracket considerably. No. 7 seed NC State knocked off No. 15 Pitt 98-88, and No. 6 seed Louisville beat No. 11 seed SMU 62-58. NC State faces No. 2 Virginia at noon Thursday. Louisville takes on No. 3 Miami at 2:30 p.m.
All games are being played at Spectrum Center in Charlotte through the championship on Saturday, March 14.
Florida State's Martin Somerville finished with seven assists and just one turnover in a reserve role — a quiet but efficient performance that kept the offense humming in stretches when McCray was off the ball. FSU head coach will need that kind of depth Thursday against a Duke roster that has been the ACC's most complete team all season.
