Dwayne Bacon helps FSU hold on vs. Florida for 6th straight win
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Dwayne Bacon scored 24 points, Terrence Mann added 16 and the Florida State Seminoles held on to beat the No. 21 Florida Gators 83-78 on Sunday
Bacon scored nine points during a 15-4 run early in the second half that helped the Seminoles (10-1) take control after it was tied at 38.
Florida State led by 13 midway through the second half before the Gators (7-3) started to slowly chip away. Florida used a 14-5 run to get within three, but could not get closer.
Kasey Hill scored a career-high 21 points for Florida, and KeVaughn Allen added 15. Hill's previous high was 20 against North Carolina in 2014.
It is Florida State's third straight win over its in-state rival, which is the first time that has happened in eight years. It is also the Seminoles' first victory over a ranked nonconference team at home since they beat the Gators on Dec. 7, 2008.
BIG PICTURE
Florida: Coach Mike White said before the game that he wanted to see his team play with more poise and also play with more consistency when it found itself on the other end of a scoring run. This loss proves that the Gators still have a ways to go in that area before they open Southeastern Conference play Dec. 29 at Arkansas.
Florida State: The Seminoles nearly squandered a 13-point lead. But unlike the Temple game, which they lost by three after leading by 18, they were able to hold on and get their third win in non-conference play against a team from a Power Five conference.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Florida could drop out of the Top 25 after dropping both of its games this week. Florida State was ranked for a week in late November and could make a bid to return after winning six straight.
UP NEXT
Florida: The Gators will have their final game of their 11-game road trip to start the season on Saturday against Charlotte in the second game of the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Florida.
Florida State: The Seminoles have finals this week and do not have their next game until Saturday when they face Manhattan in the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Florida.
