Winthrop played without their leading scorer, Nych Smith, due to an ankle injury, but that did not stop the Eagles from giving Florida State all they could handle. A three point game with 5:06 remaining, the Seminoles tightened up on defense and pulled away for an 11 point victory.
- FSU struggled with their dribble-drive defense throughout the game, but especially so in the first half. The Eagles had made 10 layups by the time the third media timeout came with 7:49 left in the first half and finished with 20. Winthrop’s smaller guards were able to get by the ‘Noles, and the help defense did not consistently rotate in time.